“Trend Says Pacers Will Get More Wickets,” Says Dharamsala Curator

India take on Australia in the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala on Saturday.

ICC match referee Chris Broad has given a “poor” rating to the Pune pitch. (Photo: Reuters)

Insisting that there was no interference from the team management, HPCA curator Sunil Chauhan on Thursday said he has prepared a typical “bouncy wicket” for the decisive fourth Test, starting 25 March.

Till date I have never taken any instructions from anyone and I have always prepared the wicket, keeping the traditional nature of this track in mind. This will be a bouncy wicket and preferred by those who play the cut and pull shot well. Rohit Sharma got a century in a T20 International at this ground.

Sunil Chauhan, HPCA Curator

Also Read: The Great Indian Pitch Debate

After India’s first two Tests against Australia ended in three and four days, respectively, the third Test in Ranchi lasted all five days.

Chauhan said he is confident that the Dharamsala pitch will last five days.

At Dharamsala, we have always tried to provide a result oriented wicket. Even during this season’s Ranji Trophy, the outcome was decided by lunch on day four. As usual, the trend says that the pacers will get more wickets. Ishwar Pandey of MP and Ashok Dinda of Bengal got a lot of wickets in their respective Ranji matches.

Also Read: Pune Pitch Rated ‘Poor’ By ICC Match Referee

Chauhan said that that top soil of the pitch has been changed every season in order to keep the binding intact.

There is a particular kind of soil found in Ludhiana which we have been using for some time now. That has helped us maintain the bind of the track

The favourites in the tournament witnessed a setback in Pune with a massive 333-run loss against the Aussies. However, the men in blue came back strong with a 75-run victory in the second Test in Bengaluru.

The third Test in Ranchi ended in a draw, making the Dharamsala match the Test series decider.

Also Read: ICC Match Referee Rates Bengaluru Pitch “Below Average”