PUNE: A longer than usual monsoon season and the pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje, were part of the focus on the eve of the second Test between India and South Africa, starting Thursday. Going by the only previous Test played in Pune and early assessment of the wicket here over the two days that the teams practiced, the wicket will be expected to assist spin greatly. But consistent showers through the week leading up to the game and overcast conditions have piqued suspense around how the wicket might play.
Speaking on the eve of the game, Indian captain Virat Kohli stressed that the team would not be affected by what the pitch may or may not do, and would just focus on their game. “Its quite evident we have the quality of players we have already, and we know very well how to play in our conditions or how to win Tests here. Its not easy for us as the home side as well. When the ball is spinning, even we have found it difficult in the past. We don’t take anything for granted. The mindset is key for us which is to win every game we play and not focus on what the conditions are and we look to find answers and not excuses,” said Kohli. He added that there is uncertainty around how the pitch would play given the inconsistent weather conditions.
NO LET UPS FROM KOHLI
Having said that, Kohli highlighted that the conditions would not play that big a factor for the side as they are well balanced. “When the pitch is damp, the ball turns as well. Its not like only seamers are predominantly going to be effective on such a pitch. Everyone will have to play their roles. Unless you have a pitch which has total grass coverage, only then you think of changing your combination too much as otherwise you do know the pitch will dry out at some stage. You can’t go predominantly one-sided in your attack and not have the balance. We are pretty balanced,” the skipper added.
SOUTH AFRICAN BATTING
South Africa’s batting will once again need to shoulder more responsibility and skipper Faf du Plessis feels mixing aggression with defense against the spinners will be key. “You try and survive on Indian spinning conditions and with that you can become too defensive and allow the opposition to be on top the whole time. There needs to be a good combination of positive play, element of taking risks at some stage of the game to transfer the pressure on the bowling team. Specially on the spin bowling front,” du Plessis said, adding that he was also impressed by how Mohammed Shami bowled in the second innings in Vizag.
FAF TARGETS SPINNERS
While India possess the variety in their bowling attack to counter the uncertainty, the Proteas would be hoping for the conditions to allow them to play a bit more to their strengths.
The 2-3 pace-spin combo did not quite work in the favour even on a dry wicket at Vizag as they picked 11 wickets over both innings, while India’s spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja alone accounted for 14 of the 20 South African wickets.
