Good batting surface expected for the fourth test at Ahmedabad | INDvsAUS

Xtra Time Web Desk: The Gujarat Cricket Association curator has prepared a wicket with black soil for the fourth and final test match of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy, indicating it will be a good surface to bat. The Indian team management is also not in favour of a rank turner after what happened in the third test at Indore. Rohit Sharma and his boys were beaten comprehensively by Australia by 9 wickets. The plan to have an extremely spin-friendly surface backfired on India as they were bowled out for 109 and 163, and they could only set a target of 76 runs for the visitors.

It is learnt Gujarat Cricket Association has prepared black soil pitch for the fourth test. The local state association had prepared two wickets – one made with red soil and the other with black soil. After consultation with Indian team management, the curators have prepared the wicket with black soil.

Indian team management is still apprehensive about the pitch as they must win the fourth test to secure a place in the final of World Test Championship to be held at Oval in June.

There has been a lot of discussion about the wicket at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The ball started to turn square from Day 1 with uneven bounce. The strategy of having a surface that was very conducive to spin backfired for the home team. Spinners claimed 27 of the 31 wickets that were lost in the Test.

ICC later gave the pitch a “poor” rating and docked three demerit points at the Holkar stadium.