India are all set to begin their home Test season with a fresh chapter, and Shubman Gill will lead the side at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The series opener against West Indies, starting October 2, is special for many reasons. It is Gill’s first time leading India in a Test at home, and the pitch conditions have already become a talking point before the action begins.
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This series is also India’s first at home since the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin.
What did Shubman Gill say about the Ahmedabad pitch?
Gill spoke openly about the uncertainty surrounding the wicket. He recalled that the last Test at the venue was played on a black-soil pitch, while this time the game will be held on red soil.
According to him, it is tough to predict how the surface will behave across five days, but he is eager to see the bounce and carry the red soil could bring.
"The last Test match that we played here was on a black soil. We are playing this one on red soil. So I am actually looking forward to seeing how the wicket is going to play over the next five days," said Gill on the eve of the match
READ: Where to watch India vs. West Indies: Latest team news and TV information
Why is the pitch such a big factor for India vs West Indies Test?
The surface at Narendra Modi Stadium has always drawn attention, and this Test is no different. The strip carried a good layer of grass early in the week and was kept under covers the day before the match.
This made the team management and Gill spend extra time observing it during training. A red-soil pitch generally provides more bounce compared to black soil.
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