Same old debate: green or brown

Indian cricket8217;s dilemma was all there to see on the 22-yards at the Ferozshah Kotla, venue for the second Test against Sri Lanka. The ...

Indian cricket8217;s dilemma was all there to see on the 22-yards at the Ferozshah Kotla, venue for the second Test against Sri Lanka. The ritualistic 8217;green or brown8217; debate surrounded the pitch as Indian coach Greg Chappell and captain Rahul Dravid walked on it, in company of curator Probir Mukherjee.

Going by the curator8217;s word and regulars at the Delhi and District Cricket Association DDCA one thing is confirmed: it won8217;t be the regular turner that one got used to expecting, at all Test venues not too long ago. Mukherjee said the Indian team management wanted a pace-friendly surface. 8216;8216;It would be a fair pitch. The pacers bowlers getting the advantage early, while later in the game, after wear and tear, the spinners can fancy their chances,8217;8217; he said.

The long-time curator of the Eden Gardens pitch and the man responsible for the pacy track during the last ODI against South Africa in Kolkata last month which saw India lose by 10 wickets has retained his 8216;green8217; views. 8216;8216;I told the coach that if his vision was the World Cup in 2007 there is no point in playing in spin-friendly conditions,8217;8217; asserts Mukherjee.

Though preparing a Test pitch, keeping in mind a one-day tournament that is more than a year away seems far-fetched, this line of thinking would certainly help the team that will be playing two important away series in Pakistan and West Indies next year.

Considering the opposition, it would have been a tough decision for Chappell and Dravid to go for a pace-friendly track. With Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas getting the Man of the Match award in the first Test at Chennai and spinner Muttiah Muralitharan too being among the wickets, it must have been a tough call to take.

And since the consensus was on a 8216;sporting8217; pitch with a greenish tinge, it would be naive to consider that India think Vaas as less of a threat than Murali. But with a stronger batting line-up 8212; at least on paper 8212; India are looking at a run-battle.

Captain Dravid, at the Kotla, seems to have left no stone unturned to take stock of the minutest detail to have his batsmen comfortable. Walking up to the dressing room he had one question for the organisers. He approached DDCA vice-president Narendra Batra to enquire about the granite flooring on the way out of the dressing room that was there during India8217;s last international outing here in April last year. 8216;8216;With the batsmen wearing spikes,8221; Dravid said, 8220;they had to be extra careful while walking on the granite floor.8217;8217;

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The skipper8217;s apprehensions were rested when Batra informed that a green synthetic carpet was in place to make their walk comfortable.

But there were a few voices who doubted that the players will be walking on a natural green carpet out there in the centre. DDCA sports secretary Sunil Dev added a grey shade to the 8217;green and brown8217; pitch. Dev, who was instrumental in the laying of the new pitch, said that in case the grass is retained, it will be a total pace-war between the two teams. And what if there is a re-think and the pitch turns brown? 8216;8216;It will be a slow dead track and a certain draw,8217;8217; he says.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More