IND vs BAN, Chennai Test: Red soil deck expected in Chepauk in first Test of India-Bangladesh Test series. What is the difference between Red and Black soil and which team holds advantage?
The ‘Blue Brigade’ is slated to face the rejuvenated Bangladesh squad for a two-match Test series starting September 19. The two sides will lock horns for the first time in the series at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. As we build up to the much-anticipated series, all eyes will be on the pitch, as there seems to be a growing amount of speculation suggesting that a red-soil pitch may be on the cards.
A typical red soil wicket comprises low clay content as opposed to black soil. This type of pitches usually offer a generous amount of zip and carry to the pacers on the opening days of the Test. This low clay content attribute results in a lower water holding capacity. Furthermore, this trait also plays to the advantage of the batters, as they can score briskly during the first two days of the match while the surface remains true.
However, as the days roll by, spin comes into the equation as the moisture fades and the surface cracks up, which in turn starts facilitating the spinners. Black soil, on the other hand, has a higher clay density and is known for its ability to retain moisture. Due to this very feature, the bounce on this surface tends to be on the lower side, and the ball starts gripping from day one. In many of CSK’s home matches, a black soil pitch is usually served up, and spinners undoubtedly reap the rewards in those matches.
If the speculations on the usage of a red pitch are to be true, we can expect to see an even contest between the bat and the ball in the upcoming Chennai Test. It is worth mentioning that both sides are armed with potent spin and pace bowling combinations that have a demonstrated history of leaving a devastating impact when it is their day. Contrary to the conditions that await the visitors, Bangladesh are more prone to playing their matches on black soil that tends to behave erratically and grips right from the get-go.
The Tigers are more accustomed to playing in spin-friendly conditions back home, and the numbers speak for themselves. As the figures suggest, eight out of the top ten wicket-takers in Bangladesh are spinners, with Shakib Al Hasan topping that chart with 163 wickets to his name. Playing on such surfaces over time has allowed their spinners to evolve their effectiveness and bowl long spells.
The likes of Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam dominate in the home conditions, and it is due to this very factor that Bangladesh primarily opts to go with an all-out spin attack at home. The heavy reliance on spin is probably part of the reason why Bangladesh quicks have a hard time when they tour overseas. Taskin Ahmed is their highest wicket-taker overseas, but he maintains a worrying-looking average of 51.55. Further on, Shoriful Islam, who has recently been ruled out of the Test series, averages over 40 while Hasan Mahmud and Manjural Islam Rana, still relatively young in Test cricket, average just a shade under 40 with 8 and 6 wickets, respectively.
Besides, on these spin-friendly black soil tracks, batting is an arduous exercise, but their star batters, featuring Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, have churned a plethora of runs in these hostile conditions, averaging around about 40, so a rank-turner at Chennai may not be an immediate sign of worry for the visitors.
More insights into the red-soil Chennai pitch
Leading up to the Test series, we attempt to decipher what role the red soil pitch is expected to play in the opening Test match. The deck in use at M.A. Chidambaram has seen the use of red soil since its inception. As explained earlier, due to the surface’s low water retention capacity, the pitch offers even bounce, which makes ball-striking a very effortless affair. Unless the quick bowlers make early inroads with the new ball, batters can capitalise on the favourable conditions on offer and march their way to an imposing first-innings total.
Judging by the stats alone, the average first-inning score at this venue is reported to be around 472 since 2016. In an era where teams struggle to even breach the 300-run mark, a score as high as 472 achieved by any team can even result in an outright innings victory.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul and the India skipper, Rohit Sharma, have impressive first-innings records on this surface. The former was seen in action in only one innings in which he fell agonisingly short of his double century by one run against England in 2016. While the latter maintains a staggering average of 83.5 in two innings with the highest score of 161 on this track.
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Conditions are usually favourable for the batters in the first two days, and runs flow off the bat quite briskly as there is little or close to no assistance for the bowlers, especially the spinners, who average well above 40. Pacers also struggle to hit the ground running as their average amounts to 35 and above combining first and second innings.
However, we see a stark contrast in terms of runs being scored in the third and fourth innings of the game. Once the game progresses to the final two days, it becomes a matter of survival for the batting side. The surface opens up and the comfort dissipates as the teams that bat last often struggle to stay afloat. The all-time average score dips to a shocking low of 154 in the fourth innings while the average all-time third innings score amounts to 243.
Many wickets fall to spin leading up to the final day. Although the average for the conventional spinners (off-spin and leg-spin) tends to be in the high 30s, it is the left-arm orthodox spinners and the chinaman bowlers who account for the bulk of the damage, averaging approximately 21 and 12, respectively.
All eyes will be on Ravindra Jadeja, who is the 3rd highest wicket-taker on this surface with 10 wickets, averaging 12. His Gujarat counterpart, Axar Patel, has also been potent with the ball, especially in the final stages of the Test, accounting for 5 wickets at an average of 12 on this track. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s leading spinner, Shakib Al Hasan, who has 242 wickets and 19 Test five-fers to his name, will have his task cut out. Either team will be able to seal the game in their favour if they manage to stretch their fourth innings lead to 200 and above.
What to expect?
By evaluating the aforementioned numbers, it is safe to ascertain that we will be in for a fairly balanced contest between the bat and the ball. Batters are likely to dominate the first half of the Test, while the bowlers will subsequently join the party in the second half. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep on one side and Shakib, Mehidy, and Rana on the other, we can expect to see an interesting clash between the two sides. The bowling strength of the two sides will be put to the test.
The toss will play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the match. Either team winning the toss should leverage the advantage of batting first and scoring as many runs as possible in the first innings. Out of 34 matches played at this venue, 12 have been won by the side batting first, while 10 matches were won by the team batting second. Hence, it is wise to conclude that the side that gets to bat last will have to face the music in the final two days under immense scoreboard pressure.
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