After rank-turner back-fired in Pune, all eyes on Bengaluru pitch

After a humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia in the opening Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune, India is all set to avenge their lost pride in the 2nd Test starting at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 5 days time. India has performed exceptionally well in their long home season but their decision to go with a rank turner in Pune backfired as a certain Steve O’Keefe wrecked havoc and finished with exceptional match figures of 12/70 which handed Australia their first Test win on Indian soil in 13 years.

With few days still to go for the 2nd Test to commence it was the correct time to ask the pitch curator a few questions on the pitch expected for the match.  “Nope. I can’t speak on this,” replied K. Sriram the curator of the Bangalore pitch. The predictions of a curator are pretty straightforward these days. They stay safe by terming it as a sporting wicket on most occasions with something there for batsmen, spinners and fast bowlers.

This was the same thing which the pitch curator of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune, Pandurang Salgaonkar had said before the start of the opening Test between India and Australia but his prediction misfired as India was bundled out for only 74 overs in both the innings. While they made 105 in the 1st innings, they were bundled out for 107 in the 2nd essay. It, therefore, makes no sense to rely on the predictions of a curator as the pitch can change drastically when the match actually begins.

“We haven’t stopped watering the pitch yet,” Rao who is the substitute curator in Bangalore was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror. “Since it’s quite hot in the day now, the water gets absorbed sooner. The team will land in the city tomorrow and they haven’t made any requests (about the kind of wicket they want). They will look at the pitch tomorrow and make some suggestions. And we too will try to accommodate those suggestions,” he added.

Also read: Decision Review System turning out to be Dismal Review System for India

Rao further said that they will strive to make a pitch which will last for the duration of full five days. “Sriram is in the BCCI panel and that’s why he cannot talk to the media, Anyway, he has kept me informed on the pitch’s preparations. It will be that sort of a wicket that will make a match last for five days,” he further said.