The Indian cricket team is keeping their cards close to their chest as the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur draws closer. With the match commencing on Friday, the team’s final playing XI remains a mystery, specifically regarding the composition of their bowling attack. The decision hinges on the pitch conditions and the weather forecast.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have been diligently inspecting the two prepared pitches at the Green Park stadium. The team management is contemplating the inclusion of a third spinner, a move that would heavily depend on the weather conditions on the opening day. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hinted that the final decision might not be made until just before the toss, acknowledging the possibility of rain on both the first and third days.
Nayar acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the pitch, stating, “To be honest, I don’t know which surface we are going to play on yet. Both the pitches look pretty good. Kanpur is often known to have good pitches. I am not sure about the bounce yet.”
In the first Test in Chennai, India opted for two spinners and three pacers. However, the anticipated spin-friendly conditions in Kanpur have prompted the team to consider adding a third spinner to their arsenal. Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav could join the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, adding another dimension to the bowling attack. However, Nayar refrained from confirming whether Kuldeep would be playing in his home state.
Nayar highlighted the significance of the weather, stating, “With the conditions and the forecast, it is going to be interesting when we turn up in the morning. A lot will depend on that because, as you know, in Test cricket, conditions can be a huge factor in how the pitch plays.”
The team’s fitness is a positive, with all players declared fit and ready for the second Test. “It is too early for us to judge and decide or have any sort of thought process on the pitch or the conditions. But we are hoping we come in tomorrow to a sunny day and not an overcast Kanpur,” Nayar optimistically concluded.
