IND vs BAN: Why are pacers dominating in Chennai Test? Difference between red soil and black soil pitch explained

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IND vs BAN: The ongoing first Test between India and Bangladesh saw the pacers dominating on the Chennai pitch which has traditionally helped the spinners more. Bangladesh fast bowlers picked nine of the 10 Indian wickets in the first innings.

Bangladesh won the toss on Thursday (September 19) and became the first team since 1982 to bowl first after winning the toss at the Chepauk (MA Chidambaram Stadium). The decision was proved right by their pacers.

India were reduced to 144/6 after a sensational opening spell from Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud, before Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja stitched a 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

In the first session of the Day 2, pacer Taskin Ahmed picked three quick wickets to wrap up India's first innings at 376.

Later, India pacers made the impact, picking each of the first five Bangladesh wickets. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep were all amongst the wickets.

Both the teams picked three pacers and two spinners for the match. India picked three pacers in a home Test for the first time since the 2019 pink ball Test against the same opposition. What led to all the decisions?

Why pacers are dominating India vs Bangladesh Chennai Test

Red soil pitch characteristics

The answer to all the questions is the red soil from Mumbai which has been used for the pitch which is hosting the series-opener. Red soil pitch is known to support the pacers. The bounce on the red soil pitch is really good, and therefore is the carry into the gloves of the wicket-keeper.

The red soil has less clay content than black soil. The elasticity in red soil pitch is less hence it lasts for a short time. The capacity to absorb less water means that the pitch gets dry and crumbles soon. Also the high proportion of silt, leads to more wear and tear in the red-ball pitch.

The aforementioned characteristic of the red soil pitch means that the pacers have a good edge due to the bounce. Both pacers and batters feel that they are in the game. Batters usually like playing their shots on surfaces which offer good bounce.

The red-soil pitch also starts aiding the spinners from the second-half of Day 2. Notably, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin started getting some turn after the lunch break on Day 2. Jadeja also managed to pick the first two wickets in the second session of Day 2.

Black soil pitch characteristics

Black soil pitch is more elastic and so lasts longer, has more clay content and ability to absorb water. It is also a non-porous characteristic. For the same reason, the bounce is low and playing shots is not easy and wickets fall in bunches. The batters are advised to take their time to settle before playing their shots on black soil pitches. A settled batter gets a good opportunity to pile up runs on black soil surfaces.

At the time this article was published, Bangladesh were eight down for 112 at Tea on Day 2. Six of the eight wickets fell to pace bowling.