Should they play three fast bowlers or three spinners? That is a decision Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir will have to make when they sit down to finalise India’s XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai.
ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the Chepauk pitch will be made of red soil and will offer good bounce and carry properties. However, the sweltering temperatures in Chennai will ensure that spin will play the dominant role throughout the Test. However, the fast bowlers are expected to pose a threat throughout the match as the pitch and conditions are also expected to favour reverse swing.
There was some speculation about whether India would use the Bangladesh series and even the New Zealand series that followed as a preparation ground for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. And whether the BCCI would instruct the curators to prepare player-friendly pitches. However, it is known that neither the board nor the team management has sent any such message.
The main difference between the two surfaces in 2021 was the nature of the ground. The pitch for the first Test was all red soil and didn’t cave in until late in the match. However, the pitch for the second Test had a base layer of red soil and a top layer of black cotton soil that started to crumble under the sun, allowing Ashwin, Jadeja and debutant Axar to dominate.
Three years later, however, the surface at Chepauk looks different. Three of the nine pitches on the ground are made of red earth, which is sourced from Mumbai. The Mumbai variety used at the Wankhede Stadium is known to provide good bounce for both fast and spin bowlers. India began their practice on the red and black earth pitches available on the ground at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, but on Monday they practiced exclusively on a red earth pitch. Bangladesh, who arrived in the city yesterday, have so far practiced on a black earth pitch.
The likelihood of India using a third fast bowler is higher in Chennai than in Kanpur, the venue for the second Test. The Green Park pitch, which is made of black soil, is generally a turning track.