Ahead of the India vs Bangladesh Test match in Chennai starting on 19th September, an interesting shift in Team India’s preparation has caught attention. While the upcoming match is set to be played on a red soil pitch, the Indian team has switched their practice sessions to a black soil pitch just days before the match. This unexpected move has raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike, especially since the match conditions will differ.
Why Practice on Black Soil Before a Red Soil Match?
Black soil pitches, known for favoring spinners, create unique challenges for batsmen. Despite the match being scheduled on a red soil pitch, which generally supports fast bowlers early on, Team India’s focus on practicing on black soil indicates a strategy aimed at improving the batsmen’s ability to handle spin bowling. In Chennai’s hot weather, pitches often start assisting spinners after a few days, no matter the soil type. Hence, practicing on a surface like black soil, which exaggerates turn and bounce, might be Team India’s way of preparing for the latter stages of the game.
Spinners Likely to Play a Key Role in Chennai Conditions
As the Test match progresses, spin bowlers are expected to dominate, especially from Day 3 onwards. Chennai’s heat and dry conditions will likely cause the pitch to crack and deteriorate, making it harder for batsmen to face spinners. India’s batsmen have struggled against spin recently, as was evident during their tour of Sri Lanka. Facing Bangladesh’s experienced spinners like Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz could prove challenging, especially if the pitch takes turn early.
Team India’s Strategy: Focusing on Spin Threat
Indian assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate recently acknowledged the team’s struggle against quality spin bowling. Bangladesh’s spinners, particularly Shakib and Mehidy, thrive in conditions like Chennai, which could explain why India’s batting unit is putting in extra work on black soil pitches that mimic the challenges they may face. An extra practice session has been planned for Wednesday to fine-tune the batsmen’s approach against spin.
Three Spinners Likely in Playing XI
Given the spin-friendly nature of the Chennai pitch, both teams are expected to play three spinners in their line-up. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are almost certain, while Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel could be the third option. Bangladesh will likely go with their trusted trio of Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam. The battle between the spinners of both teams will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the Test match.
