CRICKET
Jonny Bairstow weighs into possible playing surfaces in India during upcoming five-match Test series
England Cricketer Jonny Bairstow is looking forward to playing in India in the coming weeks. Ben Stokes-led England side will tour India for a five-match Test series. The first game will be played in Hyderabad starting on the 25th of January.
Playing surfaces in India has always been a topic of discussion whenever an overseas team visits. Recently Rohit Sharma spoke about how the Cape Town pitch controversy should open the eyes of authorities.
Jonny Bairstow has toured India on several occasions and has played a few seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 34-year-old made his first trip to India during the victorious 2012 trip before making two more visits.
Jonny Bairstow speaks on likely pitches in India
Ahead of England’s tour of India star wicketkeeper and batter Jonny Bairstow spoke to Sky Sports. The 34-year-old touched upon the playing surfaces England were likely to encounter in India.
Jonny Bairstow said “India can produce different pitches: it doesn’t have to turn. We’ve seen how potent their seam attack has been recently. Look, I’m sure the pitches will turn: it’s whether or not they’ll turn from day one, which potentially negates a bit of their strength in their seam attack. We know how strong they are,”
The last time England came to India was under Joe Root in early 2021 and lost the series 3-1. The third Test in Ahmedabad finished in two days as the Day and Night game saw spin bowlers dominate.
Speaking about the previous, Bairstow noted “Obviously, the last time Axar and Ashwin played well. You forget that in that first Test match, the guys played well, Rooty (Joe Root) got a double in the first Test match in Chennai and then the conditions changed quite drastically”
Axar Patel picked 27 wickets in his debut series including 11/70 in the Ahmedabad Test. “We know that it’s the quality spinners, especially in India, we know that they are going to come at us. Whether Axar plays, whether he doesn’t play. Whether Jadeja plays or Kuldeep plays, who knows?
Everyone in the England setup is waiting for the Indian team to be announced. The veteran Three Lions player said “We’ll have to wait and see. But there’s no point in overthinking things before their squad’s announced before we see the pitch and the conditions that are in front of us.”