India’s preparations for the first Test against Australia in Perth, starting November 22, have hit a roadblock due to unexpected rains. The conditions, typically dry during this time of the year, have been dampened by two days of unseasonal showers, which could significantly affect the pitch and Team India’s strategy.
Impact on Perth pitch conditions
The rain has led to a delay in pitch preparation, with the entire day of work lost. WA Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald revealed, “We saw the forecast early on, and we started prep a little bit earlier than we normally would.” He added that the pitch would be rolled more to ensure firmness, favoring a balance between bat and ball.
However, the lack of dry weather means the pitch won’t develop the typical cracks and deterioration seen at Perth, limiting the effectiveness of spinners. McDonald stated, “There’ll be some deterioration, but in terms of big-snake WACA cracks, unfortunately, I don’t think the weather’s going to get us there.”
India’s reliance on spin in jeopardy
India’s spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Washington Sundar, were expected to play a pivotal role as the match progressed. Historically, Ashwin has claimed 39 wickets in 10 Tests in Australia, while Jadeja has taken 14 wickets in four matches. Sundar, in his only Test in Australia, bagged four wickets.
Without a deteriorating surface, their impact could be significantly reduced, forcing India to rely more heavily on their pace attack.
Challenges for Team India
The unseasonal rains are just one of several challenges India faces ahead of the match. The team is already dealing with injuries to key players like Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami. Combined with the pitch conditions, these factors could make it harder for India to secure an early advantage in the series.
As the sun is expected to shine during the match, the question remains whether India can adapt their strategies and leverage their pace bowlers to compensate for the diminished role of their spinners. The rain in Perth might be a bigger blow to India’s chances than they initially anticipated.