India vs New Zealand: India planning comeback with spin to win in Pune

The second Test between India and New Zealand, starting Thursday in Pune, is set to feature a bald and slow-turning pitch. Reports indicate that the pitch, primarily composed of black soil, is expected to provide lower bounce compared to the first Test held in Bengaluru. It will be flatter and slower, potentially favoring spinners as the match progresses. Following the disappointing performance in Bengaluru, where India posted their lowest-ever Test score at home—an astonishing 46 all out in the first innings—Rohit Sharma's team is under considerable pressure. With the series in the visitors' hands at this moment at a scoreline of 0-1, India must secure a victory to take a crucial lead in the three-match series, which is vital for their aspirations of qualifying for the World Test Championship final next June.

India vs New Zealand: India eyeing to level the series with a spin track in Pune

The broader strategy for the pitches in Pune and Mumbai, where the final India vs New Zealand Test is scheduled to take place from November 1, appears to emphasize greater turn. This approach aims to create conditions that will allow Indian spinners to exert their influence over the game. As the team prepares for this crucial encounter, all eyes will be on how they adapt to the conditions and whether they can bounce back from their recent setback, showcasing their resilience and skill in front of their home crowd.

One significant difference between the pitches in Pune and Mumbai will be the bounce, attributed to variations in soil composition. The pitch at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium features black soil, while the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has a red soil base. This distinction could impact the playing conditions and strategies for both teams.

Initially, a similar pitch profile was expected in Bengaluru, but overcast conditions and intermittent rain leading up to and during the first two days altered the situation. These weather factors made the pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium more favorable for seamers, which New Zealand's fast bowlers capitalized on effectively after Rohit Sharma chose to bat first. As India prepares for the upcoming Test in Pune, understanding the pitch dynamics will be crucial. The players will need to adapt their approach based on the characteristics of the surface, particularly in terms of bounce and spin. With the stakes high in this series, the contrasting pitches could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome, making it essential for the Indian team to strategize accordingly to regain their footing in the series.

Like in Bengaluru, India is expected to field at least three spinners for the Test in Pune, although the combination may be adjusted based on the spin-friendly characteristics of the slow surface. In a surprising move on Sunday, the Indian selectors added Washington Sundar as the 16th member of the squad. Initially, the team included Axar Patel as a fourth spinner alongside R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, who participated in the first Test.

This upcoming match will mark only the third Test at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium. The inaugural Test took place during the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which Australia won decisively by 333 runs. The match concluded by tea on the third day, with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe taking 12 wickets. The pitch was notably abrasive, with loose top soil and small cracks appearing on the first day, leading ICC match referee Chris Broad to rate it as poor due to the high number of spinners accounting for 31 of the 40 wickets. The subsequent Test at this venue occurred in 2019, where Virat Kohli scored a double century, contributing to an innings victory over South Africa.

The pitch for the upcoming Test against New Zealand is anticipated to be almost entirely devoid of grass. Reports suggest that while seam movement may be limited outside of the first hour after the toss, the dry surface is expected to facilitate reverse swing later in the match. This combination of a slow pitch and minimal assistance for fast bowlers makes the toss critical once again, as teams will likely prefer to bat first. With the anticipated conditions, the team winning the toss will have a strategic advantage, allowing them to set a solid foundation before the pitch deteriorates. The lack of grass means that spin bowlers will also play a significant role, as they are likely to find more turn and grip as the game progresses.