Another test of spin awaits

Dean Elgar, the South African opener who had termed the surface for the first Test in Mohali as “not a good cricket wicket”, spent considerable time studying the pitch for the second Test here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The southpaw shadow-practiced from both ends, appeared to be discussing a few spots in the good length area with spin bowling coach Claude Henderson, giving an idea about the mindset of the South African batsmen. The pitch, as much as the Indian spinners, has been playing on their minds.

Barring a few hours on Thursday and Friday, the pitch has been under cover allowing certain amount of moisture to be retained; dark clouds have threateningly hung over the stadium for the whole week and the setting appears more Wanderers than Chinnaswamy.

No South African batsman, however, believes the pitch will be any different to the one in Mohali where they lost inside three days. The Indians, though, look least concerned about all the sound and fury around the nature of the pitch. And why should they? They don’t get any favours when they travel abroad and this Indian side doesn’t mind paying them back in the same coin.

There is every chance of weather remaining cloudy but India are not going to deviate from their three-spinner (R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra) strategy. They, however, may beef up their batting without sacrificing the option of the fifth bowler.

This means all-rounder Stuart Binny may get the nod along with Ishant Sharma, who served his one-match ban in Mohali. While Ishant’s comeback was on expected lines, Binny’s possible inclusion stems from the fact that India’s five-batsman (excluding the wicketkeeper) policy in the first Test didn’t pan out as expected. As a result, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron will have to sit out.

The cloud cover also means Binny will come into play with the new ball while he can keep it tight with the old ball as was evident during the Sri Lanka series. His batting down the order can be handy but India would be hoping their top-order will not leave the job to him. Shikhar Dhawan, who collected a pair in Mohali, needs to spend some time in the middle while others, barring Cheteshwar Pujara and M Vijay, showed distinct lack of application against spinners. It finally came down to which team batted worse in the first Test.

South Africa too are aware of this fact. They were so caught up with the turning ball that many of their batsmen got out to balls that didn’t even turn. The Proteas have had some time to reflect on their batting and it remains to be seen how much of it will translate into performance. This is the lengthiest period South Africa are going to be in India but well ahead of the final stretch of the 72-day stint, the feeling of ‘long tour’ maybe creeping in among the visitors.

Even as they seek to recover from the wounds of defeat in the first Test, they have been hit by injuries to two of their best bowlers. While Vernon Philander was ruled out of the remainder of the series with an ankle injury sustained while warming up with a round of football on Thursday morning, Dale Steyn is yet to get fully fit from a groin strain that he picked up during the first Test. The premier paceman will not be playing in the second Test and there is no clarity on the extent of his injury.

On a brighter note though they will have the services of paceman Morne Morkel and JP Duminy, both of whom had missed the first Test. The availability of Duminy lends the much-needed balance to the South African unit. While his ability to play spin is invaluable, his more-than-handy off-spinners will allow them to play an extra batsman while having a six-bowler option. Off-spinner Simon Harmer will likely sit out while Imran Tahir and Elgar will share spinners’ duties. Along with Morkel, Proteas will also have Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott to carry out pacers’ duties. South Africa have their bases covered to handle any eventuality but the challenge lies in execution.

Bengaluru track record

Total Tests played in Bengaluru: 20
Won by India: 6
Lost by India: 6
Drawn: 8

 Last clash: India and South Africa have played just one Test previously at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Proteas won that Test, played in March 2000, by an innings and 71 runs. Brief scores: India: 158 all out in 82.3 overs (Anil Kumble 36; Shaun Pollock 2-26, Nantie Hayward 2-20, Nicky Boje 2-10) & 250 all out in 101 overs (Mohd Azharuddin 102; Allan Donald 2-56, Nicky Boje 5-83) lt to South Africa: 479 all out in 191.4 overs (Gary Kirsten 79, Nicky Boje 85, Jacques Kallis 95, Daryll Cullinan 53, Lance Klusener 97; Anil Kumble 6-143, Murali Kartik 3-123).

 Biggest win: India’s biggest win is an innings and 95-run crushing of Sri Lanka in January 1994.
Top score: India’s highest score at the Chinnaswamy is 626 which they plundered against Pakistan in Dec 2007.

Lowest point: India’s lowest score is 118 all out against West Indies, way back in Nov 1974.
Umpires for this game: Ian Gould, Richard Kettleborough; Third Umpire: Shamshuddin
Hours of play: 9.30 am to 11.30 am; 12.10 pm to 2.10 pm; 2.30 pm till end of play.