2nd Test: Rahane confident pitch for 2nd Test will turn from first day

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane believes that the wicket at MA Chidambaram Stadium for the second Test is completely different from the one used for the first Test and will turn from the very first day of the affair.

“It (pitch) will be completely different. I am sure it will turn from day number one but again as I said before the first Test match, we will have to wait and see how it plays in the first session and then take it from there. We have to forget what happened in the first Test match and focus on this and play good cricket. We know these conditions very well. We have to put our best foot forward tomorrow and play as a team,” said Rahane told reporters on the eve of the second Test.

Significantly, the first Test, which England won by 227 runs, was played on a red soil pitch. However, the second Test will be played on a pitch which is a mixture of black and red soil.

On being asked about the challenge of playing back-to-back Test matches at the same venue, Rahane said: “Wickets are different, we need to adjust. We have played plenty of cricket in Chennai. We are (playing) back-to-back Tests at one venue for the first time.”

Rahane however, refused to comment on the playing XI saying: “Everyone is in the mix. Good thing is that (left-arm spinner) Axar (Patel) is fit. I am not going to tell you who will play tomorrow but Axar is fit to play. All our spinners are very good. Given a chance they will do well.”

The Indians have dropping too many catches and bowled quite many no-balls in the first Test, and speaking on it Rahane said that the team members are working hard on it.

“There will be incidents where catches are dropped… we need to practice hard, especially close-in catching which is very important in India. Sometimes these things happen. No one drops intentionally. Guys are working hard. They all are disappointed what happened in the last game about the no-balls, they are working hard (to ensure the mistakes aren’t repeated).”

News Desk

Read Previous

Pakistan to tour South Africa for 3 ODIs, 4 T20Is in April

Read Next

Cinch signed as new Principal Partner of England Cricket from May 2021