With lots of rain in South India, there can be sufficient moisture within the air to help seamers early on. However on a purple soil pitch, spinners will come into play because the match progresses.
Even a week ago, the notion was that India Cricket Team would be served a black-soil slow turner in Chepauk for the IND vs BAN 1st Test. In that case, it would have been a battle for two spinners — Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel — for a place in the India Playing XI. However, as reports are coming in, Rohit Sharma & Co will get a red-soil pitch in Chennai and that would create an additional headache for Gautam Gambhir. Akash Deep could get a look in as the third seamer with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as two spinners.
1 spot, 3 contenders
IND vs BAN 1st Test pitch
The selection decision would have been easier had it been a black-soil pitch that would keep low and assist spinners. But red-soil pitches are tricky. With a lot of rain in South India, the pitch is expected to retain some moisture, which would assist seamers. In addition, the weather has not been so dry that the pitch would crack up after Day 2 play. Hence, pacers could have a lot of say in the first two innings.
But as it happens with red soil pitches, it would assist spinners as the matches progress with cracks developing from Day 3. The reason is, that with no rain prediction and the temperature hovering around 35 degrees Celsius, the pitch will be baked in the sun, making it dry.
A lot will depend on how the weather is in the build-up to IND vs BAN 1st Test. Hence, Gautam Gambhir & Rohit Sharma could take a call on match day.
The last time India played a Test in Chennai, was back in 2021 against England. The pitch aided spinners with 32 wickets falling to the turners. It was also a red soil pitch back then. India played four spinners against England in the last Test with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel joining Jadeja-Ashwin.
Who will get the nod?
Scenario 1: Kuldeep Yadav
While a lot will depend on the conditions on the match day, the team management could go with Kuldeep Yadav to have some variation in the spin department. The last time Kuldeep played in Chennai in a Test, he bagged just two wickets, bowling only 12.2 overs.
Scenario 2: Axar Patel
The only reason Axar Patel could get the nod in the IND vs BAN 1st Test is his batting skills which will complement his bowling. In that case, Yashasvi Jaiswal could act as a part-time spinner.
Jaiswal has been bowling a lot of overs during India camp in Chennai. He even bowled to Jadeja-Ashwin in the nets. If Axar gets the go-ahead, Jaiswal will fill in at times, like Kuldeep did in the England Test in 2021.
Scenario 3: Akash Deep
While the idea of playing three seamers in India seems far-fetched, India could look into having a third seamer. In that scenario, Akash Deep will come in to partner Mohd Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. However, considering how the Chepauk pitch behaves, it is unlikely.
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