The first Test match between India and Bangladesh is today (Thursday). Chennai It starts at 9:30 AM at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. In this match Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl, while India are batting in their first innings.
In this case, the Indian team, playing at the historically spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in Cheppak, Chennai, has announced a bowling unit of three fast bowlers and two spinners. This decision of India has surprised many people.
Traditionally known for helping spinners, the Chennai pitch seems to be setting the stage for a different kind of competition this time around. However, the fans on social media pages are talking about the Indian team’s bowling unit. Why did India choose such a bowling unit on a pitch that usually favors spinners? Fans are questioning that.
But the reason behind this decision is mainly seen as the composition of the pitch and India’s long-term product strategy. The surface at the Chennai pitch is this time prepared with a substantial amount of red clay. It is known to produce a lot of bounce. Team management may consider this factor when deciding to support their high-quality pace attack.
Also, the decision is likely to be affected by India’s upcoming tour of Australia later this year. A team expected to face fast, bouncy pitches down under, the Indian management is already anticipating. Their pacers are making sure they are in prime form for the challenge. The tour will be crucial as India aim to win their third consecutive Test series in Australia.
“What is red clay? Bounce, turn. As the game progresses, the big spinners will also play. They have left some residual moisture under the pitch. So, the fast bowlers will have their say early on,” said the former India wicketkeeper-batsman, who is familiar with the Chennai surface. Dinesh Karthik said in his pitch statement.
Bangladesh’s quality spin attack
Another factor behind the creation of such a surface is the Bangladesh team’s recent dominance against Pakistan. In the 2 Tests there, their spinners demolished the Pakistan team led by Shaun Masood. Bangladesh’s spinners were instrumental in their 2-0 series clean-sweep in Pakistan. And India will want to disrupt that momentum by preparing a pitch that favors spin.
India has one of the best spin attacks in world cricket. There is certainly no shortage of it. However, the Indian team’s recent struggles against spin came to light during their ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Indian batsmen struggled against the spin attack in that series. Thus, the team management seems to have chosen a pace-friendly pitch to mitigate the potential problems against Bangladesh’s spinners, to secure victory and give India a better chance.
