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Why Pant And Jaiswal Will Hold The Key Against New Zealand On Spin-Friendly Pune Pitch

Anurag Dasgupta

Pant and Jaiswal to hold the key Vs NZ [Source: PTI]Pant and Jaiswal to hold the key Vs NZ [Source: PTI]

India doesn't lose home Test matches, but when they do, it comes as a shocker for everyone. India were the heavy favourites against the visiting New Zealand team in the first Test at Bengaluru, however, the coin flipped as Team India lost the Test match by 8-wickets.

Shockingly, the Rohit Sharma led side got bundled out for a paltry 46 in the first innings, which was their third lowest Test total. Now after the drubbing in Bengaluru, the caravan has moved to Pune, and the curator has been advised to prepare a rank turner to give India the advantage.

However, the Kiwis also have quality spin bowlers and the Indian batters will also face a stern Test against them. But not to worry as the team has two quality players in Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who can tackle the spinners with ease.

How will the MCA Stadium Pune behave?

Traditionally, the MCA Stadium has favoured the fast bowlers and has been a paradise for the batters. However, this time it would be different as the curator has been told to prepare a rank turner as India desperately need to level the 3-match Test series.

A black soil surface will be used which means there would be odd bounce to trouble the batters, Plus, the spin-bowlers will dominate the Test match as both the sides are expected to go spiin heavy.

How will Pant, Jaiswal be useful on this surface?

On such pitches, where the ball will grip and turn, the batters who play with a positive frame of mind will succeed.

Both Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal have a natural instinct to attack the bowlers and are exceptional players of spin-bowling. The two batters don't shy away from any challenge and the Kiwi bowlers will find it hard to contain the duo. Pant has a strike-rate of 88.12 Vs spinners in Tests, while Jaiswal also strikes at more than 80 against spin-bowling.

On such tricky pitches, the batters who will go defensive will struggle as the odd ball will stay low and it could create problems for the batting side. Hence, players like Pant and Jaiswal, who don't worry about the pitch conditions and play their natural strokes will reap rewards.

Hence, the two dynamic batters will be India's best bet on a graveyard for the batters.