Border Gavaskar Trophy: Gabba pitch to turn foe for India? Curator issues a 'bouncy' warning

India has identified the steep hill they are expected to climb against the Kangaroos on their home turf. The five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy began in the best possible way for the visitors. Pitted to face the Aussies without skipper Rohit Sharma, the team claimed a massive 295-run victory to take a 1-0 lead. However, Australia brought their full intensity to Adelaide, reminding India of the challenge they must overcome to defend the trophy. With an all-round performance with the pink ball, Australia thrashed India by 10 wickets to level the BGT series at 1-1. Now, with three matches remaining, India still has a fair chance to win the series. However, for that, the visitors will need to cover their bases and overcome the trial awaiting them in the third Test at the Gabba.

After a dream start in Perth, India faced a harsh reality in Adelaide, enduring a heavy 10-wicket loss to Australia. Their dominant 295-run victory in the opening Test seemed a distant memory as they were brought back down to earth. With the series now level at 1-1, the third Test takes on immense significance. Australia will be delighted that the next clash is at the Gabba in Brisbane, a venue famously known as their stronghold.

Gabba to stage 'bouncy' challenge for India in the third Border Gavaskar Trophy Test

India would count on the team to repeat the heroics of 2020 when the visitors breached the Gabba fort after 32 years. However, as per the latest updates, the challenges for the visitors will be higher than the last time. In the ongoing series, the pitches at Perth and Adelaide have not troubled India as much as anticipated. When the Perth turf remained fiery, Jasprit Bumrah was the top pick to exploit the conditions, outclassing the first-innings spells of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. When it slowed down and the grass disappeared altogether, batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli capitalized on the transition.

However, Adelaide spoke in favor of the Aussies as Mitchell Starc emerged with his career-best spell of 6/48 in the opening innings. India’s bowlers, however, couldn’t show similar grit with the pink ball under the lights. While Bumrah remained clinical, the rest of the pace lineup, including Siraj and Harshit Rana, fell victim to the onslaught of Travis Head. Overall, the pitch provided ample opportunities to both sides with the ball and the bat. However, things seem to be going awry in Brisbane as India looks to impose a lead on the hosts.

Interestingly, the Gabba plays out of character after Christmas as the turf tones down its lethal, bouncy nature. India’s breach of the fortress in 2021 and the historic victory of the West Indies earlier this year both happened in January. Statistically, Australia has lost only seven of the 61 Tests they have hosted at the Gabba before Christmas. This edition, India will face the Kangaroos on the turf in its true fierce condition.

In a conversation ahead of the third Border Gavaskar Trophy Test, the pitch curator at the Gabba, David Sandurski, provided some insights into what to expect. The curator highlighted the difference in timing from the last time India took the Gabba field to now. While the iconic Gabba breach happened in mid-January, Australia will host the visitors in Brisbane well within December this time.

“Different times of year definitely make it different; it can be a slightly different pitch,” Sandurski said, with the third Test slated to start on December 14. “Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them,” he added.

Sandurski, however, was quick to point out that the curators remain steadfast in their goal to create a true Gabba turf irrespective of the timing. Moreover, the curator explained that the turf likely won’t favor either batters or bowlers. Brisbane, meanwhile, is enduring rainfall, and the forecast suggests the clouds will linger until Friday, a day before the third Test begins.

“Generally speaking, we still prepare the pitch the exact same way every time to try and get the same good carry, pace, and bounce that the Gabba is known for. We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year,” Sandurski said. “The aim is to be similar to that wicket where there was a good balance between bat and ball. Hopefully, there is a bit in it for everyone,” he added.