Haren
Jaggu dada tears up a couple of pan masala packets, puts the contents in his mouth and boasts “41 saal se yahaan pitch bana raha hun. Idhar toh teesre din se his turn milta hai (I have been preparing the pitch here for the past 41 years. The spinners will be in action from Day 3).”
The 65-year-old Jaggu’s debut Test match as a groundstaff member was in October 1983, when Malcolm Marshall’s all-round show helped West Indies thump India by an innings and 83 runs at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. “Gordon Greenidge scored a century but it was Marshall, who stole the show.”
Jaggu dada jogged off once he was called by BCCI chief curator Ashish Bhowmick and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association’s (UPCA’s) Shiv Kumar, who had started walking towards the pitch.
“We have readied two pitches for the match and the final decision will be taken tomorrow,” Shiv Kumar told The Indian Express.
The paper understands that not a tinge of grass will be left on the surface as per Bhowmick’s instructions.
Both the centre pitches have been watered every three hours since the time Bhowmick arrived at the venue on September 20. Historically, the Green Park has black soil pitches, where the bounce is low and the clay, when watered, tends to hold the surface together for long and batsmen usually have a good outing.
From playing on bouncy red soil in Chennai to a low and slow surface in Kanpur, both teams might have to make a couple of changes in their playing XIs. (Pic: Pratyush Raj)
From playing on bouncy red soil in Chennai to a low and slow surface in Kanpur, both teams might have to make a couple of changes in their playing XIs.
Against New Zealand in 2021, India fielded three spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. This time round, the hosts will most likely add hometown boy Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, in place of a fast bowler. For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan’s doubtful availability is a concern and they might add left-arm spinner Taijul Islam or off-spinner Nayeem Hasan in their playing XI.
Rain threat looms large
The unseasonal rain is likely to play a spoilsport in Kanpur. The UPCA has sought additional ground covers from the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), as there’s a high chance of rain on the first two days of the Test.
According to the AccuWeather forecast, Kanpur is set to receive thunderstorms from late Wednesday evening to Saturday night. On Friday, the opening day of the Test match, the prediction of rain is 92 percent, while on Saturday it’s 80 percent.
“Yes, there are chances of rain, but we are well equipped for any challenges. Drainage here is good, so we are hoping to have a full Test match,” said Amit Pal, a District Sports Official (DSO) with the Uttar Pradesh Sports Department.
Most of the groundsmen on Tuesday were seen busy doing the drill of running with the covers. The angles kept on changing as per the simulation given to them by Bhowmick and Kumar.
Heavy security
Security at Green Park Stadium has been strengthened. The Hindu Mahasabha has threatened to protest during the game against “atrocities” on Hindus in Bangladesh.
The visiting team arrived in Kanpur on Tuesday and will have their first net session at the venue on Wednesday morning.
“From hotel to the ground, we have given the task to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to form a three-layered security for both teams,” Kanpur Police Commissioner Harish Chander told reporters at the venue.
“The police are alert about the situation in Bangladesh. Tight security arrangements have been made for the match. We are taking inputs from the intelligence agencies. If anyone tries to protest, action will be taken accordingly,” he said.
The Hindu Mahasabha has already called for a bandh on October 6 in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, where both teams will play the first T20I of the three-match series.
“We will not allow the match to take place here. It has been decided in our meeting that when the Bangladesh team comes to Gwalior, we will protest,” said Hindu Mahasabha vice-president Jaiveer Bharadwaj.
