As India prepares to face England in the first Test in Hyderabad, the spotlight is not only on the players but also on the pitch conditions.
India's head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged that the pitch is expected to offer turn, but the extent of it remains uncertain.
A day before the match, it was evident that the good length areas for spinners at both ends of the pitch appeared drier than other parts, hinting at the potential for spin.
India vs England Dream11 match prediction today: 1st Test
Rahul Dravid on the Hyderabad pitch for 1st IND vs ENG Test
Dravid commented on the pitch conditions, saying, “Hard one to say. Just have a look once it starts and figure it out. It looks a good one from what I've seen. May spin a little bit. How quickly and how fast, I'm not sure. But might spin a little bit certainly as the game goes on.”
In anticipation of the challenging subcontinent pitches, India has made the decision to opt for a specialist wicketkeeper for all five Tests.
Dravid confirmed that KL Rahul would not be taking on the wicketkeeping duties in this series, despite his commendable performance in South Africa. The team management chose two other wicketkeepers to handle the responsibilities behind the stumps.
The selection dilemma now lies between KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel. KS Bharat has prior experience, having kept wickets in all four Tests during India's home series against Australia in 2023.
On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel, a 22-year-old uncapped player from Uttar Pradesh, is another contender for the wicketkeeper's role. Both players have been actively involved in training sessions, honing their skills, and preparing for the upcoming series.
Final media ahead of the First Test in Hyderabad! 📹 📝 🎤
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 24, 2024
🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴 | @benstokes38 pic.twitter.com/63u0qd0rhB
England arrives in India with an impressive Test record, boasting 13 wins in their last 18 matches, under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Their aggressive style of play, often referred to as “Bazball,” has garnered attention and raised questions about whether it will be successful in India.
Dravid acknowledged England's exciting approach, saying, “They've played really well. It's certainly been exciting to watch them play and they've had success playing like that. So why wouldn't you play like that? But we know it's going to be a challenge for them in these conditions as well.”
He also expressed his confidence in the Indian team's ability to handle the challenge posed by England's aggressive tactics. “As a coach, I'm looking forward to how our boys respond because I know that we'll be put under pressure, and I'm really hopeful that we respond positively,” Dravid added.
Virat Kohli withdraws from first two Tests against England
England, however, remains undaunted by the conditions in Hyderabad. Fast bowler Mark Wood emphasized their self-belief and readiness to adapt to the unfamiliar pitches. Wood stated, “We have to find a way, and that will be what we'll try and do in the game. We'll adapt, we've got a captain that always wants to take the game forward, so it should make for an entertaining series.”
As the stage is set for an intriguing battle between India's spin prowess and England's aggressive approach, the pitch and the mini-battles will be under immense scrutiny.
