NAGPUR: If Interest in the India-Sri Lanka Test series was low before the start, it’s fair to say grass has made people take a fresh look at it. That’s not what they usually see on Indian pitches.
After the ‘green signal’ in Kolkata, Nagpur too has rolled out one which looks greenish from a distance, although it was a lighter shade on Thursday, compared to how it looked a day earlier. Curiously, the captains had different takes on it.
“It’s hard with a nice grass cover. Fast bowlers will be in play the first two days because of the bounce, after which it might assist spin. Overall, a good Test wicket,” said Virat Kohli. Dinesh Chandimal too felt it’s a “good Test wicket”.
But in his assessment, there wouldn’t be as much help for fast bowlers as at Eden Gardens. “It’s less green. Good for batting the first three days. After that, help for the spinners.” Hosting its 50th international match (23 at the old stadium from 1969-2007), Nagpur has rar ely pleased pacers, barring one occasion in 2004. If this one doe s, it will be a dramatic departure from the last Test here, pl a ye d on a surface where fast bo wlers were spectators.