Looks like after three Tests on good pitches, we will see the first turning pitch of the series as both Ben Stokes and India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour observed plenty of cracks on the surface in Ranchi.
The England captain Ben Stokes said that he had never come across the “very dark and crumbly” kind of pitch at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. While Vikram Rathour acknowledged that there are cracks on the surface and it will offer help for the spinners, the India batting coach said no one can tell right now when it will start spinning.
“Every time we play in India, there’s a question mark on the pitch. It’s a typical Indian wicket. There are cracks. It will turn. But how much and from when we aren’t sure,” Vikram Rathour said in the pre-match presser.
India currently lead the series 2-1, having come from behind after being 0-1 down. With a lead and a short turnaround time between the third and fourth Tests, India decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah.
Rathour said it is simply not “advisable” to play Bumrah in all games. Bumrah has bowled 80 overs in three Tests, the most by a pacer in the series, and is the only pacer to play all three games.
The batting coach said, “We love to see Bumrah play every match. But it is not advisable. The kind of workload, schedule we have, everybody felt it was better to give him a break. He was absolutely fine but we also have to keep in mind the workload ahead.”
I’ve never seen something like that before: Ben Stokes
Speaking about the pitch after having a look on Wednesday, Ben Stokes said he doesn’t know what to expect from the surface. He added that he had never seen any pitch like this one before.
The England skipper opined, “I don’t know, I’ve never seen something like that before so I have got no idea. I don’t know what could happen.
“If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India. It looked green and grassy up in the changing-rooms, but then you go out there, it looked different. Very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it.”
England have announced their playing XI. Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir replace Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed.
