India Prepares Balanced Pitch for Crucial Third Test Against New Zealand
India Prepares Sporting Track for Decisive Third Test Against New Zealand
Facing the prospect of a series sweep, India is set to prepare a balanced pitch for the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium from November 1. The hosts have struggled against both seam and spin in the first two Tests, prompting a shift in strategy.
According to sources, the pitch for the third Test is unlikely to be a rank turner, unlike the one in Pune where New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with his left-arm spin. Instead, the Wankhede pitch is expected to offer a sporting balance, with some grass cover for the seamers and gradual turn for the spinners from Day 2 onwards.
BCCI’s chief pitch curator Ashish Bhowmick and elite panel curator Taposh Chatterjee met with Wankhede curator Ramesh Mamunkar to review the pitch. “It will be a sporting track. Right now, there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” a reliable source told TOI.
In the last Test at Wankhede in December 2021, India crushed New Zealand by 372 runs on a pitch that offered significant spin assistance. Ravichandran Ashwin took a match haul of 8 for 42, while New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel made history with 14 wickets for 223 runs.
However, the Indian team management is keen to avoid a repeat of the Pune debacle, where Santner’s spin proved too much to handle. The Wankhede pitch is expected to provide a more balanced challenge, allowing both the seamers and spinners to play a role.
The outcome of the third Test will be crucial for both teams. India needs to win to avoid a series sweep, while New Zealand will be looking to complete a historic victory on Indian soil. The pitch preparation will be a key factor in determining the outcome of this decisive encounter.