Dharamsala pitch will favor fast bowlers, says the HPCA curator

The fourth and final Test of the ongoing India-Australia series is set to get underway at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday and just like Ranchi, Dharamsala is all set to host its first-ever Test match. However, unlike Ranchi, the pitch on the offer here will have good bounce and carry on all five days of the Test.

According to chief curator Sunil Chauhan, the pitch will certainly help the pacers. He said, "That is how the nature of the pitch has been here. I have left it grassy and thereby the pacers will have an advantage. It will be fast and so they will play an important role in the match.”

The pleasant conditions and moisture in the pitch are also set to cause movement off the pitch. The spinners will also get a little help. Chauhan said, " Unkohalkimadadmilegi (they will get little help). The bounce on offer is also set to bring the close in fielders into action."

He also added, "The batsmen will face a stiff test, particularly in the first session of play in the morning, thereby testing their ‘true character’. The true character of a batsman will be revealed when they bat on this pitch. The fast outfield will earn batsmen value for their shots.” 

While there are 7 pitches on the ground, the one in the centre is going to be used and both camps have seen the wicket and are satisfied with it. However, Chauhan chose not to comment on what a team should do if they win the toss, leaving it to the respective camps to decide.

Though Australia weren’t happy with the nature of the pitch in Ranchi, as they went on to call it decorated and questioned the integrity of both Virat Kohli and the curator of the JSCA pitch. Chauhan has denied that he and his team have favored either of the sides saying, “My job is to prepare a true pitch and I have done that. My team has worked hard with me and there is no question of favouring any team.”

Further, the HPCA Stadium has hosted three ODIs and eight T20Is so far, and those matches have been even contests between bat and ball. In the domestic matches, though, the bowlers have had the upper hand owing to the favorable conditions. Regardless of the conditions, both India and Australia have all to play for in the final Test, with the series currently locked at 1-1.