Following a humiliating nine wicket loss against Australia in the third Test in a spin-friendly pitch at Holkar Stadium in Indore, hosts India have got a taste of their own medicines.
With a place in the World Test Championship Final at stake, India are facing a lot of dilemma ahead of the fourth Test match to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from March 9-13.
Moreover, ahead of the third Test in Indore, skipper Rohit Sharma had given a hint of preparing a green top in Ahmedabad.
“There is definitely a possibility of that. We have already spoken about it. We need to get the guys ready for it as well. The important one is Shardul Thakur, because he comes into that plan for us. I don’t know how ready he is, knowing that he just got married. We don’t know how many overs he has bowled. But yeah, that thought process is definitely there. If we do what we do here and we get the result we want, we might think of doing something different in Ahmedabad for sure,” Rohit had said in a presser even before the start of the third Test.
Even Australia skipper Steve Smith was stunned by Rohit’s candid statement. Now, when India have lost the third Test in a humiliating manner, the question arises if India will look to go in with a green top for the final Test or will they pursue a turning pitch for the all-important final Test.
India’s strength is definitely spin. However, on Indore pitch where the Indian spinners must have dominated, it was the Australians who outplayed the hosts. Now, it is interesting to watch whether India will back their strength again or switch over to a green top keeping in mind about their preparation for the World Test Championship Final in which they are yet to seal a berth.