India Preparing Spin-Friendly Pitch for Second Test Against New Zealand After Bengaluru Loss

After a crushing eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru, India is making significant adjustments as they head into the second Test in Pune. The loss in Bengaluru, which saw India bowled out for a record-low 46 in their first innings, has triggered concerns within the team about how to handle New Zealand’s potent seam attack.

The moisture in the Bengaluru pitch, coupled with New Zealand’s ability to extract sharp seam movement, played into the hands of their pace bowlers. The Indian batting lineup struggled immensely, leaving the team looking for solutions ahead of the must-win second Test.

In response, India is reportedly preparing a radically different pitch for the Pune Test. According to ESPNcricinfo, the pitch is expected to be a slow-turning track, designed to favor spinners. The surface will be bald and dry, with black soil used to ensure low bounce and less grass to reduce seam movement, which heavily benefited New Zealand in the first game.

The conditions in Pune are expected to support spin from the outset, a move aimed at bringing India’s renowned spin attack into play. While the first Test saw exaggerated seam movement that undid the Indian batsmen, the Pune surface should reduce that factor. However, reverse swing could still be a factor due to the dryness of the pitch, giving pacers some advantage later in the innings.

The decision to alter the pitch conditions stems from India’s need to bounce back quickly, particularly given the pressure they face to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The inclusion of Washington Sundar, an all-rounder known for his off-spin, to the squad signals India’s intent to field multiple spinners. With the possibility of fielding up to four spinners, India hopes to exploit the conditions in their favor.

Despite the pitch strategy, concerns linger about whether this is the right approach. India has a history of bouncing back without resorting to drastic measures. Earlier this year, after losing the first Test to England in Hyderabad, India resisted the temptation to prepare turning tracks, yet still went on to win the series 4-1.

Critics argue that India’s strong bowling lineup is capable of winning on more balanced pitches, and creating spinning tracks may not necessarily work in their favor. The third Test in Mumbai is expected to feature a red soil pitch with more bounce, contrasting the conditions in Pune but still offering turn to India’s spinners.

As India prepares for the crucial second Test, all eyes will be on how the pitch plays out and whether it will provide the advantage they seek to level the series.