The subcontinent pitches, especially the ones in India, traditionally favour the spinners, which generally pose problems for the SENA nations as well as countries like West Indies, who prepare fast pitches on their home turfs.
India greatly benefits from such a surface, as the nation has produced some of the finest spinners in the history of the sport.
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However, ahead of India's home Test series against West Indies, which starts on Thursday, October 2, in Ahmedabad, captain Shubman Gill claimed that this time around, the pitches in India will benefit both the batters and bowlers.
This is Gill's first home series since being appointed as India's Test captain, as his first assignment was to lead the team in a five-match series in England in the summer and he performed his duties with distinction as the Indians drew 2-2 on English soil.
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Gill, who just returned from the UAE after winning the Asia Cup 2025 last Sunday, addressed the media on the eve of the first Test in Ahmedabad.
Speaking on the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gill said: "I can't really speak about what were the conversations before I came (in as captain), but yes we would be looking to play on wickets that offer (help) to both the batsmen and to the bowlers.
"But having said that, I think any challenge for any team that comes to India, they know that the challenge is going to be spin and reverse swing. Keeping these challenges in mind, we would be looking to play on wickets that offer both to the batsmen and to the bowlers."
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