Last Update: February 04, 2023, 18:08 IST
Rohit Sharma-led India is a strong contender. (AFP photo)
Australia’s preparation focused on polishing their abilities to deal with spin-friendly conditions in India
Given how things have changed since Australia landed in India, they are certain that a test by spin awaits them. They were expecting the same when their team was packed with spinners led by the experienced Nathan Lyon.
Pictures of the Australian team using a rough pitch to help their batsmen get used to the challenge ahead have gone viral on social media. And then there is the matter of the tourists employing local talent, one of them a carbon copy of Ravichandran Ashwin, to fine-tune his technique.
It all points to one scenario: the Australians are hoping for a rank turner.
However, a report claims otherwise.
According to times of IndiaThe curators of the four venues set to host the Border Gavaskar Trophy Tests have been asked to prepare pitches that will ensure ‘good Test cricket’ over five days.
Now make of it what you will.
For the record, Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad will host the four Test matches in that order.
However, for India It’s a tricky proposition. Spinners, as has been the case with Indian pitches, have been the innovators in recent years.
Spin-friendly pitches can also backfire. Gone are the days when Indian batsmen were known to handle spinners better than others.
The tour of Bangladesh in December was the latest reminder, despite a 2–0 clean sweep by India.
Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel are expected to lead the spin department. For Australia, a bulk of the bowling will have to be handled by Lyon but he is supported by Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and rookie Todd Murphy.
India has also started its preparations and its target will be to capture the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell, however, feels that the Rohit Sharma-led side is a bit weak considering his fitness concerns.
“Australia can win this series. India have been more vulnerable at home of late due to injuries to key players like Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Chappell wrote, he will rely heavily on Virat Kohli Sydney Morning Herald,
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