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The upcoming Test series between India and Bangladesh is set to commence on September 19th at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Reports suggest that India is aiming to utilize a red soil pitch, which could potentially give them a strategic advantage over their opponents. Bangladesh, fresh off a historic whitewash victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, will be keen to maintain their momentum. However, they will be facing a formidable home side in India.
The contrasting playing surfaces favored by each team are a key aspect of this series. Bangladesh is accustomed to playing on black-soil pitches, which are known for their firmness and grip due to their higher clay content. These conditions typically provide an advantage to spinners from the outset. On the other hand, red soil pitches, with their lower clay content, tend to offer more bounce in the initial days of play and then crack up as the match progresses. This makes them more conducive to fast bowling initially, followed by the spinners later in the game. The decision to utilize a red soil pitch could be influenced by India's upcoming tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, where they will be defending their title in a five-match series.
Meanwhile, Team India has already begun their training in Chennai under the guidance of their new bowling coach, Morne Morkel. Morkel's first training session with the team involved extensive work with the fast-bowling unit, which includes Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and others. Reports indicate that Morkel will also be conducting one-on-one sessions with the bowlers in the coming days. As the series approaches, both teams will be focusing on adapting to the specific conditions and strategies that will be employed at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium. The battle between the contrasting pitch conditions and the strengths of each team's bowling attack promises to be a fascinating aspect of the Test series.
The series between India and Bangladesh is eagerly anticipated by cricket fans worldwide. India, with its strong home record, will be looking to capitalize on the advantage of playing on familiar ground. Bangladesh, however, will be motivated to prove their recent success against Pakistan was no fluke. The choice of a red soil pitch could significantly influence the course of the series, and both teams will be striving to overcome the challenges and exploit the opportunities presented by the playing conditions.
Source: IND vs BAN: Chennai Likely to Set Up a Red Soil Pitch for First Test Against Bangladesh: Report