India is set to host West Indies on a pitch that could be one of the greenest seen in a home Test in recent years. The opening match of the two-Test series will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the surface has been left with a substantial covering of grass just days before the game.
As of two days before the match, the pitch featured a lush, even grass layer. While some of it may be trimmed before the toss, around 4 to 5 millimeters of grass is expected to remain. This is unusual for Indian conditions, where pitches typically favor spin.
The decision to keep more grass on the pitch is largely due to the nature of the red soil being used. Red-soil pitches can offer good bounce and carry when supported by grass. However, without that grass cover, they tend to break down quickly and turn into spin-friendly dustbowls, as seen during India’s Test against New Zealand in Mumbai last year.
Additionally, recent rainy weather in Ahmedabad has played a role in preserving the green look of the pitch. Rain over the weekend meant the surface was under covers for most of Sunday and Monday. Conditions improved by Tuesday, allowing both teams to train without interruption.
There is a forecast of rain on the first day of the Test, but the weather is expected to clear up during the rest of the match. Injuries to some of West Indies’ frontline pace bowlers might influence how much India chooses to take advantage of the seam-friendly conditions.
