Chennai expected to roll out red-soil pitch for Test against Bangladesh

Team India is all set to take on Bangladesh in a two-game Test series. Both sides will lock horns in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19. Ahead of the first Test, team India took part in a pre-season camp in Chennai, where they were greeted with a black soil pitch that was slightly damp with some grass. 

The side’s training session in the camp began at 9:30 am and was extended until 3 pm. With as many as 10 Tests lined up for the Rohit Sharma-led side, the pre-season camp indicated that team India are looking over the horizon towards three Tests against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

It is worth noting that Bangladesh is used to playing on black soil pitches, which are usually slow; the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is reportedly going to offer a pitch with red soil content. The ground staff covered the pitch with some good grass coverage.

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Furthermore, to prepare for Bangladesh’s bowling attack, India has chosen their net bowlers, keeping Bangladesh’s bowlers in mind. Apart from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, the hosts went with Tamil Nadu’s S Ajith Ram, M Siddharth, and P Vignesh. 

Speaking of both sides’ World Test Championship (WTC) standings, team India currently occupies first place. With nine Tests played, India have won six matches, lost two, and drawn one game. With 74 points to its name, India is all set to reach the WTC final next year.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will be brimming with confidence; the side recently defeated Pakistan in a two-game Test series in their own backyard. With six Tests played, Bangladesh have won three matches and lost three. The side sits in fourth place currently and will hope to pull off another upset against India and move up in the rankings.