Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan is optimistic about the continuation of fair pitches in the upcoming India vs. England Test match in Rajkot. Reflecting on the balanced surfaces witnessed in Hyderabad and Vizag, Zaheer highlights the performances of batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ollie Pope, along with spinner Tom Hartley and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who excelled despite the pitches not favouring their respective strengths.
Expressing his hope for a similar pitch in Rajkot, Zaheer emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between bat and ball, with spin becoming a significant factor from the third day onwards. He believes such pitches offer a captivating contest for the first two days, followed by the emergence of spin and reverse swing, and eventual domination by spinners on the fourth and fifth days.
ALSO READ: Ravindra Jadeja’s Reveals Injury Management Strategy Ahead Of Rajkot Test
During a chat on JioCinema, Zaheer Khan said, “I hope the pitch is on similar lines to the one in Hyderabad and Vizag. On that kind of a surface, we should be able to see a good contest between bat and ball for the first two days and spin comes into play on the third day. You’ll see some reverse swing as well. And on the fourth and fifth days, you’ll have the spinners dominating.”
Zaheer Khan also suggests that the nature of pitches used in the first two Tests might create uncertainty in England’s strategy, leading them to ponder over the selection of either spinners or seamers. He believes such ambiguity benefits India and enhances the viewing experience for fans.
WATCH – MS Dhoni’s Heartfelt Sticker Gesture: A Tale Of Friendship And Gratitude With BAS
“If that is the pattern, it will make for a nice viewing experience for all the spectators and the fans will enjoy. England are up for that kind of a challenge, and you would want England to be debating four spin options or two seam options. You would want England to be confused when they are taking those decisions,” Zaheer Khan explained.
With the third Test set to commence on February 15th at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium, Zaheer’s insights underscore the anticipation surrounding the pitch conditions and their potential impact on the game.
