The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Runs and spin promised

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Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008
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Runs and spin promised

Bangalore: The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here, the venue for the first Test between India and Australia, promises runs and some spin.

“It is a hard and very dry wicket. It is very dry on top and there is some moisture underneath. After the Indian Premier League matches, we haven’t used this pitch and the last time it was used for five days was when Pakistan played here in December 2007,” said curator Narayan Raju.

The pitch is expected to enhance the role of the spinners after the third day and the word ‘crumble’ is also doing the rounds.

With Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in its ranks, the Indian team is primed to deliver provided the batsmen provide the needed cushion of runs and pile up the pressure on Ricky Ponting’s men.

India has played 17 Tests here ever since M.A.K. Pataudi and Clive Lloyd strode out for the toss on November 22, 1974. And the results have largely favoured the visiting team as India gained four victories and suffered six losses.

India last won a Test here in 1995 defeating New Zealand by eight wickets and the link between that team and the current one is the presence of Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar. — Principal Correspondent

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