With all the talk about how much the Eden Gardens pitch would aid the spinners, there is hope for the Indian pacers to play a role in the third Test match against England, which starts here on Wednesday.
Indian pacers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma could play a key role in the third Test as the Eden track has offered good assistance to pacers in the past.
“The Eden Gardens wicket has always helped the pacers, especially in the first two days when the conditions here assist movement both in air and off the seam,” said former Test all-rounder Madan Lal.
“The Eden pitch is a slow turner going by the kind of soil it has. So it will be justified to have the likes of Zaheer and Ishant in the team. It is very difficult to have a track that starts turning from the first ball. Such a situation would mean the wicket is under-prepared. India should field two pacers. I am sure England will also have its pace department ready.”
Zaheer is a bowler “best suited” for Eden Gardens feels Barun Barman, a former Bengal medium-pacer who has a fair idea about the wicket.
“Zaheer can swing the ball well and will be able to exploit the conditions here. It will be always good to have at least two pacers in the team as the Eden track is a slow turner. The talk about the pitch and conditions would be effective only when the Indian team is able to exploit the advantage of playing at home. Eden Gardens has always been sporting and India can expect to make a turnaround from here,” feels Barman.
Zaheer would be looking to get back into his rhythm at the Eden Gardens. Ishant said he has also learnt to deliver out-swingers and can be a perfect ally for his senior new-ball partner.
