The fifth and final ODI between India and Australia of the ongoing series in Nagpur, is going to be a dead rubber as the hosts have already clinched the series. Still, the approach towards the game from the teams will be under the scanner for that ODI.

India could continue trying their bench strength in Nagpur, while Australia will try to win the game to save the pride before the T20Is.

However, the pitch curator at the venue, Pravin Hingnikar has assured that wicket will help to create a healthy competition between bat and ball. According to the quotes in Hindustan Times, the curator said, “It will be a very sporting wicket, but what’s required is the team to put runs on the board. I don’t think the toss will have a major role to play given this is a true wicket the It will provide equal opportunity for both the teams… Be it spinners or seamers, no one would have an added advantage come Sunday.”

He further explained, “We’ve been working on the pitch for the past 10-12 days, although we had to halt our work in between because of heavy downpour. Luckily, there is no forecast of rain; even if it does rain, we are prepared to tackle the situation given our surface and underground drainage are up to the mark. We’ll be covering the entire ground in the night just in case it rains.”

Considering the history of the pitch conditions at the VCA stadium, the track at Nagpur has had a mixed bag of fortunes for the Indian team in the recent past. In the last ODI played here, Team India defeated Australia despite the latter scoring in excess of 350.