The Indian team management is understood to have opted for a slow and low wicket for the second Test against Bangladesh, which begins at the Green Park in Kanpur on Friday.

While the red soil pitch for the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai had afforded bounce and carry, the black clay turf in Kanpur is expected to help the spinners as the match wears on.

The ground staff in Kanpur had kept two pitches — one with grass which would help the pacers and another for the slow bowlers — ready for the Test. But captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir decided to go with their policy of playing on turning wickets at home.

The last Test at this venue was against New Zealand in November 2021 when the visitors, chasing 284, were reduced to 165/9 on the final day but bad light ruined India’s hopes. Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel helped New Zealand pull off a draw primarily because the floodlights didn’t function properly with around eight minutes left in the final session.

Indian player Virat Kohli during a training session ahead of the 2nd Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh, at Green Park Stadium, in Kanpur, Wednesday, September 25, 2024. PTI

Almost three years have passed since but concerns have again been raised about the floodlights and it is learnt that the issue hasn’t been resolved yet.

The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has put the blame on the state government, which owns the stadium, for the mess. It remains a mystery how the BCCI decided to allot the match to Kanpur while being aware about the lack of communication between the two parties.

The wicket is expected to force a change in India’s team combination. Rohit’s team had their first practice session on Wednesday afternoon.

Local boy Kuldeep Yadav could get a look-in if India decide to go with three spinners. The leg spinner will add variety to the attack along with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Indian players during a training session ahead of the 2nd Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh, at Green Park Stadium, in Kanpur, Wednesday, September 25, 2024. PTI

Axar Patel too was present at practice and the team management didn’t throw any indications as who would be drafted into the playing XI if they opt for three spinners.

But who would then be made to sit out is a bigger issue. There has been talk that Jasprit Bumrah, who was almost unplayable in Chennai, could be rested as part of workload management.

There’s another school of thought that Bumrah, who bowled 21 overs in Chennai, should be allowed to continue and maintain his rhythm. If needed he could be rested for the second or third
Test against New Zealand before the tour Down Under from November.

Mohammed Siraj could be given a break in these circumstances since Akash Deep has shown significant improvement and is tipped to make it to Australia if he maintains his discipline. The Bengal pacer could partner Bumrah if the team management decides to play three spinners.

Perhaps the match-eve practice session can throw some light into whether Kuldeep would be preferred over Axar.

The weather could also play spoilsport — with forecast for rain and thunderstorms on the first two days of the Test — in India’s bid to ramp up World Test Championship points with another win.