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"Nor Too Flat Or..." Gambhir Sends Decisive Message To Pitch Curator Ahead Of ENG Tests

Sakshi Sharma

Gautam Gambhir in intense discussion (Source:@ jaatdevta1438,x.com)Gautam Gambhir in intense discussion (Source:@ jaatdevta1438,x.com)

As India prepares to kick off their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle with a challenging five-match Test series against England, the team has already settled in at the Beckenham County Ground in Kent for an intensive pre-series training camp. With preparations in full swing, head coach Gautam Gambhir has sent a decisive message to the pitch curators. 

Gautam Gambhir Informs England Pitch Curator

Speaking to RevSportz, Beckenham’s head pitch curator Josh Marden revealed details of his discussion with the Indian support staff. 

"Yes, the coaching staff, including Gautam Gambhir and others, spoke to us after their internal meeting," Marden said. "Their message was clear: ‘We want a good pitch.’ Not something too flat or too green, but something that will genuinely help with match preparation."

With a young squad and a new captain leading India into the new WTC cycle, the emphasis is clearly on quality preparation rather than comfort.

“They wanted more realistic conditions, not just batting drills,” Marden continued. “So we adjusted a few things — grass cover, net width, and pitch length extensions. The feedback from the Indian team has been great since then.”

The Beckenham soil, known to be naturally batter-friendly, posed a challenge for curators who had to find the right balance. Marden elaborated on the adjustments: 

 “Visually, the wicket may look dry or flat, but we manage grass density — not just what you see, but how thick it is. The current surfaces being used by India and Australia have slightly more grass than our usual white-ball surfaces. It’s a subtle balance, but even with a brown surface, there's enough life in it for seamers if you hit the right length.”

India Signals Serious Prep For England Tests

India will also play an intra-squad match at Beckenham before the first Test in Headingley. The careful pitch preparation is part of a larger strategy India, unlike on some previous tours, is leaving no stone unturned as they aim to start strong in the new WTC cycle.

It is important to mention that this series will be India’s first Test series under their new leadership of Shubman Gill and if their groundwork at Beckenham is any indication, they are ready for a serious challenge.