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- Published: October 29, 2024 14:02
New Delhi: India stares at the possibility of a 3-0 whitewash at the ongoing New Zealand Test series. With a whitewash on the line, there were reports that the Mumbai pitch might be a rack turner. A rack turner means spin will once again become dominant and thereby create problems for the Indian batters.
Take a look at the pitch for the 1st ODI against #NZ at the Wankhede. Win the toss and ? #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/2vvndaAgdz
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 22, 2017
However, the latest reports suggest that the Wankhede pitch won’t be a rank-turner. In the last two matches, India has struggled against the spin attack of the Black Caps.
The pitch will have a thin grass cover which will make the spin attack of both sides effective from Day 2. Naturally, the track is expected to be a batting paradise. And this means the pitch is likely to be a flat batting surface in nature. But in no way will the pitch be a rank turner in nature. India’s poor form in facing spinners has been a major concern in this series.
NO RANK TURNER IN THIRD TEST ❌
– It will be a sporting track, expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI] pic.twitter.com/U08JkBfdjv
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 29, 2024
Indians have struggled not only with spin attack but also against the pace attack as was evident in the Bengaluru Test. Therefore, the pitch is expected to be a slow track and not assist the pacers of both sides. This is one of the reasons why Jasprit Bumrah was rumoured to be rested in the third test.
Wankhede to offer sporting pitch for the 3rd Test, unlike the spin-heavy pitch in Pune. (TOI) pic.twitter.com/cs3ZdjcWS3
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) October 29, 2024
With the series lost, India will be aiming to avoid a whitewash. Meanwhile, the hosts need a win in the third Test at all costs to remain at the top spot of the World Test Championship (WTC) Standings.
When is the 3rd Test between India and New Zealand?
The third test between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 1.