When the current India-Pakistan test series started, it was expected that the pitches would be dry and dusty to aid India's spinners.
However, the venue for the first drawn test match, Mohali, had a fair sprinkling of grass on the surface of the pitch. And, if media reports are tobe believed, the pitch at Eden Gardens, the venue of the second Test, is also likely to aid the seamers.
A report in The News, a Pakistan daily, suggests that a green-top awaits Inzamam-ul-Haq and his team in Kolkata. The newspaper quoted Inzamam as saying: "From what we have heard they have left a lot of grass on the pitch and have no plans to cut it down. By the look of things they are aiming to target us with their full pace attack."
The Indians handled Pakistan's pace attack with ease at Mohali, but struggled against Danish Kaneria, who bowled with relentless accuracy and guile for 53.4 overs in the Indian first innings, returning figures of 6 for 150. In contrast, Pakistan's fast bowlers had combined figures of 4 for 360 from 94 overs. India's star bowler, though, was medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who came up with match figures of 9 for 171. Anil Kumble had a reasonably successful match too, but his six wickets cost him 236 runs.
If the pitch does turn out to be a grassy one, the Indian think-tank will have a tough decision on their hands over which spinner to omit – Kumble has been in tremendous form in Tests, but Harbhajan Singh has an outstanding record at the Eden Gardens – 29 wickets in four Tests at 18.75.
The second test starts tomorrow.
- CRICINFO, additional reporting by Herald Online staff
