The typical black soil surface used for Sunday’s Super Eights match between India and South Africa may not be conducive to spinners, leaving the team management to decide whether to add a seamer or an extra spinner.
While vice-captain Axar Patel is expected to make a comeback to the playing eleven in place of Washington Sundar, India will think long and hard before going for a third spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, considering Arshdeep Singh’s effectiveness at the death overs.
Red soil, black soil, and a combination of red and black soil are the three surface types found on the Motera surface. However, a black soil track with some bounce has been prepared for this game, and even the last of the grass has been taken off to give it a bald appearance.
There won’t be any turn available for spinners, according to a former Gujarat captain who has played all of his cricket in Motera. Quinton de Kock agreed with this statement during the pre-match press conference.
“This seems like a flat deck. There should be decent bounce and value for shots. If I would have been the captain, I would pick Arshdeep Singh over Kuldeep Yadav on this particular strip,” PTI quoted the former India player as saying.
“I think in Ahmedabad, these wickets have been a bit more seamer-friendly. There has been no spin at all. So I’m saying that it’s all about conditions at the end of the day,” De Kock said.
Under the blazing sun, Kuldeep bowled a lot to Rinku Singh and Ishan Kishan, two first team regulars, during the optional pre-match training session.
On match eve, the bowlers typically do not show up for training because they are all scheduled to play the next day. The fact that Kuldeep perspired can be a sign that Arshdeep will play the match.
