While there are apprehensions of the strip playing slow and low after last week's rains, the ground's octogenarian curator promised a good, firm, even-bounced track, where the batsmen could play their strokes.
"It will be full of runs," said Prabir Mukherjee, overseeing the groundsmen clip whatever grass cover remained on the surface.
With the wicket a mystery, the composition of the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian bowling brigade could be interesting. The likely options before the team management would be to either go for a two pacers-two spinners attack or include a third slow bowler by axeing a seamer. In the first case, the choice could be among a fit again Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and uncapped local boy Mohammed Shami to share the new ball with
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Offie Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm orthodox Progyan Ojha would deliver the spin variety.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra stands to make the cut if the hosts decide to rope in an additional spinner, with Ashwin opening the bowling with Kumar.
Most of the Indian batsmen select themselves. The sole point of discussion is the number six slot. But Rohit Sharma has almost sealed a debut after his hurricane double hundred at Bangalore. Ajinkya Rahane most probably will have to sit out.
