India
Credits: BCCI.

The preparation of both India and Afghanistan for the historic One-off Test in Bengaluru could take a major hit due to the poor conditions of the practice pitches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Test, starting on June 14, will be Afghanistan’s first-ever. However, rain could play spoilsport in the buildup to the much-awaited game.

According to a report in mid-day, the groundsmen are struggling to provide better pitches for the net sessions due to the weather conditions.

In addition, Rains have lashed the city for past few days, making it tough for the groundsmen to prepare ideal pitches.

IND vs AFG: Bengaluru Groundsmen Struggling to Provide Ideal Practice Pitches Due to Weather
M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Photo Credit: BCCI.

Ajinkya Rahane and his men are scheduled to hit nets from Monday (June 11) following the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli.

However, the groundsmen face a herculean task to provide the players with good pitches, in order to prepare for the game.

Interestingly, M Chinnaswamy has the best drainage system, hence, the groundsmen there can make practice area fit in time. But as far as the pitches are concerned, they have a major task at their hand.

IND vs AFG: Bengaluru Groundsmen Struggling to Provide Ideal Practice Pitches Due to Weather
Rahane will lead the side in Kohli’s absence. Photo Credit: AFP.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai has already made it clear that the debutants will enter the game full of confidence.

“The whole world knows that [we have very good spinners in] Rashid Khan, Mujeeb [Ur Rahman], [Mohammad] Nabi, Rahmat [Shah], Zahir [Khan],” Stanikzai told ESPNcricinfo.

A week ahead of his team’s inaugural Test match, he said that Afghanistan’s spinners are better than India’s.

“In Afghanistan, the brilliant thing is that a lot of the young talent that is coming through are spinners, because they all follow Rashid, they follow Nabi, so because of that our spin department is very strong from below,” Stanikzai maintained.

Moreover, Afghanistan will be brimming with confidence with the way they performed against Bangladesh recently.

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The latest Test entrants thrashed the Tigers 3-0 in the Twenty20 International series. With this clean sweep, they warmed up for the Test match in style.

“In my opinion, we have good spinners, better spinners than India,” he concluded.

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