India Test captain Shubman Gill said on Wednesday that the team is trying to play on tracks that “offer assistance to both batters and bowlers” instead of relying on rank turners in home games.
Gill stated during a press conference on the eve of the Test series against the West Indies in Ahmedabad that the squad may be persuaded to start a third seamer in the first match as the venue has a green-top on offer.
“I can’t really speak about what were the conversations before I came (in as captain), but yes we would be looking to play on wickets that offer (help) to both the batsmen and to the bowlers.
“But having said that, I think any challenge for any team that comes to India, they know that the challenge is going to be spin and reverse swing. So keeping these challenges in mind, we would be looking to play on wickets that offer both to the batsmen and to the bowlers.
“You will get to know the combination tomorrow. Given how the weather and conditions are, we are tempted to have a third seaming option but we will take a call tomorrow,” he added.
The captain also admitted that following a demanding but successful Asia Cup T20 campaign that concluded in Dubai on Sunday, he and other players had very little time to change gears.
“We had a couple of days for the Test match, yes it was a quick turnaround. I was looking to work on getting into my zone (in the nets),” he said.
Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah were among the players who linked up with the squad in Ahmedabad after returning from Dubai.
Regarding whether Bumrah would be utilized periodically to manage his workload, Gill said, “We will take a call on match to match (basis), how long a game goes and how many overs a bowler bowls. Nothing is pre-decided.”
