The pitch in Mohali, which is the venue of the upcoming test match between India and South Africa, has been reported to be going to have quite a bit of grass on it.
If it turns out to be that way, then the South Africans will find the conditions to their liking one more time on this tour.
In the limited-over leg, most of the pitches were flat in nature and turned minimally depriving India the home advantage that they were hoping for.
And, it seems the pattern is to be followed in the test matches as well.
Everybody knows how desperate the Indian team management was to have been given a rank turned for the decider of the One Day International series that was played in Mumbai.
They would have wanted a similar sort of surface for the 1st test match too, but, as the reports are coming through, they would have to be disappointed as their wish would probably be turned down again.
The green surface straightaway puts India on the back foot as South Africa has got the most potent pace battery in the world as far as the test matches are concerned.
Even on flat wickets, it would be advantage South Africa as they have got attacking batsmen right through the order who can play with a high strike rate even in red ball Cricket and can take the game away from the opposition.
So, India’s best chance of winning the Mandela-Gandhi series is if the pitches spin.
India has picked three best and in form spinners in the country for the series, but, irrespective of how good they might be, they would not be able to do much on the surfaces having grass cover on it.
The series is starting on 5th of November.