The wait for the Test series from Australia is now about to end. The series is going to start from 22nd November. The first test match will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth. Where a pitch has been prepared which will give a tough test to the Indian batsmen. It took about 2 months to prepare this pitch. According to the curator, the pitch has pace, bounce, and the most important thing is that its temperament is not at all different from the WACA pitch. Waka means the ground where Team India has been tested in the earlier Tests played in Perth. Simply put, the Indian team will be seen playing for the first time in the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Meaning the ground is new, the pitch is new and all the Indian batsmen playing on it are also new. But, before coming to this, let us know the nature of the pitch better. This is a drop in pitch, which will be used for the India-Australia first test. It also has the same soil and grass species as those found on the WACA pitch.
Regarding the nature of the pitch, Western Australia Cricket’s Chief Curator Isaac McDonald told ESPNcricinfo that this is Australia. This is Perth. I am preparing a pitch which has strong pace and bounce. It is clear from the words of the Chief Curator that grass will be seen on the pitch, which can prove to be a problem for Team India.
Now the question is that if Australia gives such a pitch in Perth, then who will play for India on it? Who will give a befitting reply to Australia? There are only 3 batsmen in the Indian team selected for the Australia tour who have previous experience of playing red ball in Perth conditions. All three have played test matches at the WACA. This means that this will be the first opportunity for all three of them to play on a sunny pitch at the speed of Optus Stadium.
Among the three Indian batsmen who have experience of playing in Perth conditions, Virat Kohli is the only one who has a good record. Virat Kohli has scored 259 runs at an average of 64.75 in 2 test matches played at WACA, which includes 1 century. Apart from Virat, Pant has 66 runs at an average of 33 in the 1 Test played at the WACA. Whereas KL Rahul could not score more than 2 runs in the 1 test played in Perth conditions. Apart from these, all the other batsmen including Rohit have not played any Test in Perth before.
It is clear that the pitch of Optus Stadium will ask questions? And, the Indian batsmen will have to answer. But the lack of experience of playing with the red ball on that pitch and in those conditions in the Indian camp seems to be making the task a little difficult for them.
