IND vs NZ 3rd Test: Rohit Sharma And Co To Avoid Spin Track At Wankhede After Pune Disaster
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Wankhede Pitch in Mumbai (Source:@ragav_x/X.com)
The three-match Test series against New Zealand is turning out to be a disaster for the Indian team. They have lost both the Test matches so far, and it is their first Test series loss at home after 12 long years. It is also the first Test series win for Kiwis in India and Rohit Sharma has lot to ponder ahead of the third and final Test at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India dished out a turning track in the second Test after their batters faltered against seam and swing in Bengaluru. However, it backfired and New Zealand spinners dismantled Indian batters to deliver a famous win in Pune. Now, with a final game to go and crucial WTC points up for grabs, Indian team management has decided to move away from any drastic tinkering of the pitch. According to a report from TOI, the pitch won't be a rank turner and it will be a sporting wicket which will help both teams to bring out all the facets of their game into the picture.
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Top Officials Meet Wankhede Curator
According to a reliable source of TOI, there is a bit of grass on the pitch ahead of the game and it will be good for batting and would offer turn from the second day onwards. Also, BCCI's chief pitch curator Ashish Bhowmick and elite panel curator Taposh Chatterjee met Wankhede Curator Ramesh Mamunkar on Monday and there have been certainly some serious discussions on how the pitch should behave after a humiliating loss in Pune.
"It will be a sporting track. Right now, there's a bit of grass on the pitch. It's expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2."
The pitch at Wankhede would be a red-soil one which traditonally provides good bounce and has helped both pacers and spinners in Test cricket. In 2021, India dismantled New Zealand by a massive margin of 372 runs, but Ajaz Patel also created history in that Test with all 10 wickets in an innings and it would be interesting to see how things pan out this time around.
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