The second Test between India and Bangladesh is set to start on September 27 at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. As the teams prepare for the match, understanding the pitch conditions will be crucial in their strategies.
The Kanpur pitch is known for its unique characteristics, and recent observations suggest that it will differ from the one used in Chennai. The players will need to adapt to these conditions.
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How will the pitch at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium be like?
Per ESPNCricinfo, the pitch at Green Park Stadium is expected to be different from the one used in Chennai. Unlike the bounce seen in Chennai, the Kanpur pitch will be flatter and as a result, will have much a lower bounce.
This means the ball will not rise as high as it did in the first Test. The black soil in Kanpur leads to a slower surface that may deteriorate as the match progresses.
According to an Indian Express report, Uttar Pradesh Cricket's Shiv Kumar said that two pitches have been made ready for the Test match and "not a tinge of grass has been left on the surface, as per BCCI's instructions".
"Historically, the Green Park has black soil pitches, where the bounce is low and the clay, when watered, tends to hold the surface together for long and batsmen usually have a good outing," the report added.
Will there be any changes in team selection?
Given the nature of the Kanpur pitch, teams might adjust their line-ups. India may replace one of their fast bowlers with a spinner, possibly Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel.
Bangladesh is also considering changes. Shakib Al Hasan is uncertain for the series decider due to an injury to his finger. If he cannot play, they might include left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
How were the conditions in the previous Tests at Kanpur?
In the last Test played at Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021, India opted for a spin-heavy attack, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. The match was the first Test at the venue since 2016.
In the earlier match, India won comfortably, but the 2021 encounter saw New Zealand show resilience, managing to draw the game.
According to Accuweather, Kanpur is going to have thunderstorms from Wednesday evening to Saturday night and the chances of precipitation are 92% on the opening day of the match, i.e., Friday.
IND vs BAN 2nd Test: What did the Kanpur pitch curator say - will it be a slow turner assisting spinners?
According to an Indian Express report which interviewed Jaggu Dada, the pitch curator at Green Park in Kanpur, the pitch will have begin to turn from Day 3 of the Test match, as generally expected.
"41 saal se yahaan pitch bana raha hun. Idhar toh teesre din se his turn milta hai [I have been curating pitches for 41 years here. We start to get turn from Day 3 here]," he said.
He also reminisced about his first Test as a ground staff in October 1983, talking about Gordon Greenidge's century but Malcolm Marshall stealing the thunder with his 92 in the first innings and 4 wickets each in both innings in West Indies' win over India by an innings and 83 runs.
Historically, Kanpur pitches have varied in behaviour. In 2016, the Indian bowlers found success against New Zealand, while in 2021, the New Zealand batters saved the match with their defence.
These experiences suggest that batters may find the conditions more favourable in the upcoming Test, due to the flatter pitch. Both teams will closely watch the pitch conditions as the second Test approaches.
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The flatter, slower surface in Kanpur could lead to a different style of play compared to the first Test. The outcome may depend on how well each team adapts to these conditions.
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