Team India's Pitch Strategy: Aiming for a 'Rank Turner' Against New Zealand at Wankhede
This request for a spin-friendly pitch is somewhat unexpected, especially considering that New Zealand's Mitchell Santner excelled on the Pune surface, taking 13 wickets in the series so far. His ability to dominate against India's batsmen raises questions about the team's confidence against left-arm spin, particularly after their struggles in the first two Tests.
As Team India prepares for the third and final Test against New Zealand at Wankhede, recent reports indicate that the team has requested the pitch curator to create a 'rank turner'. This strategic demand comes on the heels of two consecutive defeats in the series, leaving India eager to rebound and salvage their chances in the World Test Championship (WTC).
Initially, there were indications that the pitch at Wankhede would be more balanced and not heavily skewed towards spinners, contrasting sharply with the Pune pitch, which had provided significant turn and assistance to bowlers. However, the Indian team management's latest request reflects a shift in strategy, as they aim to capitalize on their spin bowling strength from the very first day of the match. An unnamed source told the Indian Express, "It will be a rank turner pitch. The team management has requested to prepare a pitch that can help spinners from day one. It seems the team wants to go on a tried and tested formula."
This request for a spin-friendly pitch is somewhat unexpected, especially considering that New Zealand's Mitchell Santner excelled on the Pune surface, taking 13 wickets in the series so far. His ability to dominate against India's batsmen raises questions about the team's confidence against left-arm spin, particularly after their struggles in the first two Tests.
The importance of winning the upcoming Test cannot be overstated; a victory is crucial for India's aspirations of reaching the WTC final. With the series against New Zealand already presenting challenges, Rohit Sharma's side must perform well to restore momentum before embarking on a tough five-match series in Australia.
As the match approaches, it will be intriguing to see how the pitch conditions at Wankhede unfold and whether they align with the Indian team's expectations for a spin-friendly surface. With just two days remaining until the start of the Test, both teams will be keenly observing the preparations.
