Team India unhappy with practice pitch in South Africa, asks for green wicket

After India’s two-day practice match at Eurolux Boland Park was cancelled earlier in December, the Men in Blue were left with no option but to head into the first Test at Cape Town without a warm-up game. Thus, to get the team acclimatized to South African conditions, the BCCI arranged green pitches for practice sessions at the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC).

The team management decided to hold extended practice sessions to gear up for the Test series. However, the alternate preparations have not been ideal with the pitch not being up to the mark. It will certainly be Virat Kohli‘s biggest Test series as the Indian captain but he is not happy with the practice pitch provided to the team at the WPCC.

The Indian team was forced to practice indoors on Sunday owing to showers. Not satisfied with the conditions and eager to be ready for the 1st Test, they have asked for two new practice pitches to be prepared.

Andrew Mathys, Head Groundsman of the WPCC was quoted saying, “The Indian team management told me that they want a green wicket so we are trying to prepare that. We are trying to keep it similar than that one but we are just keeping the balance. It is not going to be the same but we are trying to keep the balance and even so if they practice here then they are going to have a nice game at Newlands.”

India will stay at the top even if they lose

India will look to set their record straight in the rainbow nation when they take on the Proteas in a three-match Test series starting at Newlands Stadium from January 05. In their previous visits in 2013 for a two-match Test series, the hosts won it 1-0. But Kohli remains optimistic the results will be a lot different this time around.

The numero uno team in Test cricket has a healthy 13-point lead against second-placed South Africa. Even a defeat would see Kohli’s boys hold on to their Test crown.