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India's national cricket team has commenced a pre-season camp at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, setting the stage for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The camp, which began on Friday, saw the team train on a black-soil pitch, a common sight in India's domestic cricket, with a focus on acclimatizing to the challenging conditions. Temperatures in Chennai soared to 37°C, yet the players persevered, showcasing their dedication and preparation for the upcoming series. The camp, however, served a larger purpose than merely preparing for Bangladesh, as the team is also gearing up for crucial Test series against New Zealand and Australia.
The team utilized the spare center-wicket at the main ground for their training sessions. Batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli honed their skills against spinners on the black-soil pitch, while pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj practiced on the far side. Interestingly, India selected their net bowlers to mirror the bowling styles of upcoming opponents, including Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam, as well as New Zealand's Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.
Beyond the black soil practice, the camp incorporated a red-soil pitch for batting and bowling practice. This shift towards red soil is significant as the first Test against Bangladesh is likely to be played on a similar pitch. The decision to utilize a red soil pitch mirrors India's strategic approach in 2019, where they prepared seamer-friendly conditions for the Bangladesh Test series, culminating in a resounding victory for the Indian team. This strategy, however, was not solely driven by the immediate goal of winning the series, but also aimed at providing the team with an advantage ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia, a country renowned for its fast bowling-friendly pitches.