Having monitored the preparations from close quarters, Daljit Singh and Sunil Chauhan, the two experienced curators involved with the making of the pitch here, relaxed in the cool confines at one end of the ground here—reflecting on the job done.
In recent times, the pitch has often come under scrutiny in the run up to the game as India has fallen back on the trusted policy of spinner-friendly pitches. But this one could well be different.
Chauhan has always taken pride in laying out a surface that encourages pace and bounce. How would it be this time? “I can’t change the nature of the soil. I expect the bounce to be true. The skills of the bowlers do count too,” he said.
The Dharamsala pitch is now 14 seasons old and traditionally has not been a happy hunting ground for the slow bowlers. “There are many factor involved in pitch making and soil remains the most important. We should have a decent game,” added Daljit, who prefers the playing surface to be slightly inclined towards the bowlers.
Many experts had erred in their reading of the pitch in the last Test at Ranchi. The brown surface did not deteriorate and saw Cheteshwar Pujara construct a diligent double century. The pitch here does promise an intense contest with Daljit and Chauhan committed to give a true surface.
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