Ranchi pitch set to add surprise element to contest
Ranchi, February 22
India batting coach Vikram Rathour today said there are visible cracks on the pitch that will be used for the fourth Test against England but he is not sure at which stage and to what extent it would turn during the match.
It’s a typical Indian wicket, there are cracks, this wicket always had cracks. It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are not sure. — Vikram Rathour, india batting coach
There is going to be assistance for the spinners, but also the seam (bowlers) because of the dryness and cracks in the wicket. Ben Stokes, england captain
The pitch at the JSCA stadium has been the focus of a lot of discussion heading into the potential series-decider.
“Every time we play in India, there’s question mark on the pitch … It’s a typical Indian wicket, there are cracks, this wicket always had cracks,” Rathour said on the eve of the match. “It will turn, but how much it will turn and from when we are not sure. But we have enough balance in our team.”
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been India’s top wicket-taker in the series, would be missing out, while KL Rahul is also ruled out. But Rathour didn’t seem too concerned with young guns firing already. “It is tough to miss key players, it’s better for the team if everyone is available but a series like this is a good opportunity for the young players, who have played on these wickets to establish themselves. The young players who have come in the team have got a good start and it feels good,” he said.
‘Not prejudging the pitch’
England captain Ben Stokes added spice to the talks on Ranchi pitch, saying he has not seen anything remotely like it in the past. But he also stated that it’s not fair to have “preconceived ideas” about the pitch.
“We get asked about the pitch and we give our opinion, but that doesn’t mean we are going in with too many preconceived ideas. The pitch could be as flat as a pancake, who knows. If it is, we will adapt to that. We won’t let those conversations seep into what we do,” he said. “I feel like the spin will be assisted, but I also feel having two seamers gives us a good chance purely because of Ollie Robinson’s release height and his relentlessness with his areas,” he added.
