Cricket News: Visakhapatnam pitch report for 2nd IND vs ENG Test | Pitch report at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium
The five-match series between India and England has been set up perfectly after the visitors staged a magnificent comeback in the first Test at Hyderabad. Trailing by 190 runs after the first innings, Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley produced some of the most memorable performances by overseas players in India to seal a magnificent victory.
Now, all eyes are on the Visakhapatnam pitch ahead of the second Test starting Friday. Interestingly, England opening batsman Zak Crawley has been told it could suit seam more than the Hyderabad pitch. If that is the case, it will represent a bit of a change in strategy for India after defeat on the spin-friendly surface.
Also, it must be noted that India’s six Test defeats at home since 2012 have all come on pitches offering more than four degrees of turn. Typically, the sweet spot for Indian victories is around the three-and-a-half mark. With warm and mostly sunny conditions forecast for the entire Test, expect the surface to take more turn as the game goes on, but perhaps less so than the first game.
Visakhapatnam pitch looks better for seam – Zak Crawley
“So, this wicket looks a bit better to seam, according to the guys. I haven’t seen it, but that’s what they said. It’s just a bit damper. I think here it seems like they’re a bit greener, so we’ll see what happens there,” Crawley said in the pre-match press conference.
Despite the potential for a different type of pitch to Hyderabad, Crawley re-emphasised the importance of sweeping against India’s spinners. It was a tactic that worked brilliantly in the first Test, with Pope in particular putting on a masterclass.
“I think sweeping and reverse sweeping when it’s spinning is a good option,” said the England opener. “It takes the spin out of it, kind of. If you can get to the pitch, bit like Pope did so well.
“And I think the reverse sweep is more common for us because there are just fewer fields there. They always seem to have two men out on the leg side. If they had two men out on the offside, we’d probably play the sweep.”
In terms of the playing XIs, India face a challenge with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the second Test. Also, they need to bounce back after losing a match they were very well-placed to win.
Sarfaraz Khan, who averages 69.85 in 45 First Class matches, has been drafted into the squad. Rajat Patidar is also available. So, it will be interesting to see which way India go.
“I think sweeping and reverse sweeping when it’s spinning is a good option. It takes the spin out of it, kind of. If you can get to the pitch, bit like Pope did so well.
Zak Crawley
It will also be interesting to see England’s selections. If the surface does aid seam, it could lead to the return of James Anderson to the playing XI. If picked, the veteran seamer will come in for Jack Leach who is ruled out with a knee injury. However, captain Ben Stokes did suggest the possibility of spinner Shoaib Bashir making his debut if conditions suit.
The second Test begins on Friday, February 2.
