"Might Spin A Little As Game Goes On" - Rahul Dravid on Hyderabad Pitch For IND vs ENG 1st Test

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Hyderabad, January 23: India head coach Rahul Dravid has said the pitch for the first Test against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad seems to be a "good one" that may spin as the game progresses.

Ahead of the first Test starting here from Thursday (January 25), the 22-yard trampoline in Hyderabad sported a dry look, especially from the good length area on either side of the wicket.

While the pitch is expected to see turn as the match goes on, Dravid said it's not easy to predict the nature of the pitch, adding that it would be clearer if the ball starts spining early or later only once the match starts.

"Hard one to say (nature of pitch). We will have a look once it (match) starts and figure it out. It looks a good one from what I've seen," Dravid began his statement during Tuesday's media interaction in a rather mundane manner.

Then he added: "But may spin a little bit. How quickly and how fast, I'm not sure. But it might spin a little bit certainly as the game goes on."

England fast bowler Mark Wood, on the other hand, admitted that the England camp has had a discussion about the nature of pitch, but without creating a bedlam in their minds.

"We've discussed the pitch. But I wouldn't say we discuss it at that length to worry about it. We have enough self-belief in our group that we can do something special," Wood said.

"We've got spinners, we've got seam, we've got good batters and we've got a good recent history behind us," Wood reminded that even the visitors have travelled with possibly four spinning options to go with the rest of the line up.

Wood, however, acknowledged that the England players will have to do well on whatever kind of tracks are on offer during the series, saying they have to find a way.

"We know that this is a massive task. It's not good coming here and rolling over thinking it's going to be tough because the pitches are not what we're used to. We have to find a way.

"We'll adapt. We've got a captain who always wants to take the game forward. So, it should be an entertaining series," said Wood. However, that adaptation just might not be an easy process for the Englishmen.

While there has been talk if the ball will turn right from day one, one of the officials of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has told PTI that there will be help for both batters and bowlers with spin coming into effect as the match wears on.

"We've had enough time to prepare the pitch. There will be help for both batsmen and bowlers, but as the match moves on it will turn, but I think, these players are experienced enough to apply themselves and make runs," PTI quoted an HCA official, who did not want to be named, as saying.

(With PTI inputs)