IND vs NZ 2nd Test: A Flatter And Slower Pitch In Making At Pune: The match is expected to have a slow-turning track in black soil in Pune for the second India vs New Zealand Test. It will generally assist the spinners more. The black clay surface retains moisture and causes slow deterioration, making wear and tear and rough areas thus soft and uneven bouncing as the match goes on.
In this case, spinners such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be key players. Not so for the batsmen, as the ball is bound to turn and grip more after each day. Indian pitches include plenty of soil for spin, and moisture content is high.
On the other hand, the surface laid out for the first game at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, was less bowler-friendly, with both pace and spin getting equal opportunities. The pitch at Bengaluru, which is laid with red soil, was able to give more pace and bounce during the early parts of the match and was favorable to the fast bowlers. But that same pitch also was able to break down later in the match.
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The alteration to black soil in Pune also suggests a change in the tactics by selecting probably the spin department because the focus will be slower and more spin-friendly pitches than the Bangalore one. This may prove pivotal in the series, where the spin attack is most likely to be the highlight in the city of Pune.
With Washington Sundar‘s late inclusion, India appears to be strategizing for a spin. Hoping to take advantage of New Zealand’s potential vulnerability to quality spin on subcontinental surfaces.
