Another rank turner awaiting SA?

Sabi Hussain

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

new delhi, NOVEMBER 28

Rarely in the recent memory has the nature of pitches attracted so much attention in a Test series in India. Even though India has pocketed the four-Test series with an unassailable 2-0 lead over the struggling South Africans, it looks unlikely the debate is going to die anytime soon.

With just four days left for the fourth and final Test to begin in Delhi, the focus has now shifted to the Ferozeshah Kotla.

If Kotla’s groundstaff is to be believed, then there wouldn’t be any respite for the Proteas batsmen from rank turners. The only glitch remains the gloomy weather, which the city has been experiencing for the last four days.

The DDCA pitch curator Ankit Datta has been readying Kotla’s centre-wicket for the Test, where two Ranji Trophy matches have been played this season, resulting in outright victories.

The wicket here is likely to assist turn from the first session on Day 1, but for that to happen, it will have to remain dry for three-four days, with enough sunshine to soak up the moisture. If that does not happen, then pacers would be effective for the initial part of the match. According to the Meteorological department, mostly cloudy sky has been predicted in the coming days, which has prompted the groundsmen to cover the centre-wicket and its adjacent eight wickets over the past three days.

The instruction from the team management is very clear — keep on preparing wickets which suit India. That pretty much sums up the situation.

According to an official, who works closely with the BCCI’s Ground and Pitches Committee, the wicket will definitely produce a result. “This is an international series and you get the instructions from the team management only once. It will be a result-oriented track. If you can not apply yourself against the spin, then there’s something wrong with the skill of a batsmen. Don’t complain about the wickets on offer. Let Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) or VVS (Laxman) bat on these tracks and they will show the required patience and application to negate the turn,” the official said.

The comments came after Daljeet Singh, the chairman of BCCI’s pitches and grounds committee, made his first visit to Kotla to oversee the work. Daljeet arrived just before noon and spent time directing the pitch curator.