NEW DELHI: India's head coach
Rahul Dravid
issued a subtle caution to the England camp, indicating that the pitch for the first Test would provide support to spinners as the match progresses.
As the first Test in Hyderabad approaches on Thursday, the 22-yard strip displayed a dry appearance, particularly in the good length areas on both sides of it.
"Hard one to say (nature of pitch). We will have a look once it (match) starts and figure it out. It looks a good one from what I've seen," Dravid began his statement during Tuesday's media interaction in a rather mundane manner.
Then he added: "But may spin a little bit. How quickly and how fast, I'm not sure. But it might spin a little bit certainly as the game goes on."
Fast bowler
Mark Wood
, on the other side, conceded that the England camp has engaged in discussions regarding the pitch's nature, aiming to avoid causing chaos in their minds.
"We've discussed the pitch. But I wouldn't say we discuss it at that length to worry about it. We have enough self-belief in our group that we can do something special. We've got spinners, we've got seam, we've got good batters and we've got a good recent history behind us."
However, Wood acknowledged that the England players will need to perform effectively on the pitches provided during the series.
"We know that this is a massive task. It's not good coming here and rolling over thinking it's going to be tough because the pitches are not what we're used to. We have to find a way.
"We'll adapt. We've got a captain who always wants to take the game forward. So, it should be an entertaining series," said Wood.
However, that adaptation just might not be an easy process for the Englishmen.
"We've had enough time to prepare the pitch. There will be help for both batsmen and bowlers, but as the match moves on it will turn, but I think, these players are experienced enough to apply themselves and make runs," said an
HCA
official, who did not want to be named, told PTI.
Bumrah absent from India training
Indian players hit the ground and sweated out earnestly on Tuesday despite the training session being an optional one.
All the squad members, except pacer
Jasprit Bumrah
, attended the nets that lasted a little over two hours.
(With inputs from PTI)
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