Not a typical Chepauk track as pacers thrive

WHEN Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to field against India on an unusually overcast day in Chennai on Friday, he was the only second captain to do so in Test cricket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

- GOMESH S

The only other was England captain Keith Fletcher in 1982, and the match ended in a draw after five days of run fest. Shanto's case, however, was different. For starters, the red soil pitch had a tinge of grass left on it and had been watered enough in the lead-up to the match to ensure that it stayed firm and had consistent bounce. Even more so with the rising temperature that was felt in the city last week. India also wanted such a surface because a spinning track might just end up favouring Bangladesh, who have three quality spinners in Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taijul Islam. Add that to the fact that the city experienced cloudy weather on the first day, both Shanto and India captain Rohit Sharma wanted to bowl first, and with good reasons.