It was “the right thing to do” to prepare turners at home during the Rohit Sharma era, but it is unclear if the new team management, which includes Test skipper Shubman Gill, will stick to the tried-and-true strategy of playing on surfaces that are conducive to spin.
The think tank will be under pressure to provide the correct response on the characteristics of home pitches as the Indian Test team enters a transitional phase that started with a remarkable run of five Test matches in England. The answer, however, might not be required right away as India plays two games against the struggling West Indies to start their run of four home Test matches.
The world’s largest stadium will host the first Test match on Thursday in Ahmedabad. Two days prior to the game, the field was covered in green grass with little to no maintenance throughout the day. From October 10–14, the second Test will take place in New Delhi.
The fact that pitches have historically been set up in accordance with the team’s style of play is well known, and former captain Rohit frequently defended the strategy.
Given the team’s remarkable performance, it might have been the right decision. It all fell apart against New Zealand late last year, after India had won 18 home series in 12 years.
After losing to New Zealand on a green top track in the rain-soaked first Test at Bengaluru, when they were bowled out for 46 in the first innings, India went back to playing on rank turners in Pune and Mumbai for the second and third Tests of the series.
However, when India’s top batting lineup and spin assault failed, the tried-and-true formula that has produced numerous positive outcomes collapsed, and New Zealand won a historic 3-0 victory.
