India vs New Zealand: Slow-Turning Pitch Likely to be Prepared For Pune Test

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A slow-turning pitch is reportedly set to be prepared for the second Test between India and New Zealand, starting on Thursday (October 24) at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune.

Rohit Sharma's side will be keen to bounce back and level the series after going down by 8 wickets in the series opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where rain and overcast conditions favoured the New Zealand quicks.

India were bowled out for a meagre 46, their lowest total in Tests at home, in the first innings after opting to bat first in overcast conditions on a wicket that remainied under covers for a long time.

As the sun was out, the wicket got easier to bat, and both teams scored 400 plus in the two innings that followed. However, India could not set a big fourth innings target for the Kiwis. Also, there was not a lot of help for spin in the Bengaluru pitch.

According to a report on ESPNcricinfo, Pune's pitch of India vs New Zealand 2nd Test will be packed with black soil with lower bounce compared to the Bengaluru Test. The pitch in Pune is likely to be flatter and slower with spin likely to play a role in the contest.

A report from Times of India also states that the BCCI curator has taken the charge of the pitch with authorities understandably being tight-lipped about the instructions coming from the Indian camp.

The MCA Stadium has so far hosted only two Tests. The previous Tests at the venue have seen Australia beating India in three days in 2017 and the hosts beating South Africa in four days in 2019.

The Pune venue has hosted several white-ball games, which has seen some assistance for the bowlers with the wickets offering good bounce and carry. Spinners have dominated in the past two Test meetings at the venue.

The ESPNcricinfo report further stated that the seam movement could be minimal after the first hour of the Test, while the dry surface might also help reverse swing. So, the Indian think-tank may still retain the 2-pace and three-spin attack for the Pune Test.

In all likelihood, Akash Deep could come in for Mohammed Siraj as a direct replacement. Plus, there is also a possibility of playing that extra spinner if the wicket is prepared as reported widely.

Axar Patel, who is pretty handy with the bat, could come in to the team as the fourth spinning option. However, it is unclear if it will be in place of the pacer or another batter with more spin options likely to see a few being under-utilized.