India are scheduled to play their first Super 8 match against Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. So far, Rohit Sharma has stuck with his winning combination but it may change against Afghanistan considering the conditions in Barbados. Both India and Afghanistan boast of a quality spin attack but they are spoilt for choices. However, one of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise Barbados Royals’ coaching staff member may have made the team management of both teams easier ahead of the clash.
"In general what they have found out from the CPL data is that the faster you bowl spin on those tracks the more purchase you get," a member of Barbados Royals coaching staff told Cricbuzz.
Rohit may once again stick with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as they are capable of bowling at good pace. While Yuzvendra Chahal may be out of contention, left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav may have a chance to make it into the side considering his increased pace of late. But if India go with Kuldeep, they will have to replace Jadeja who was not been in best of forms at the group stage.
Pitch preparation in Barbados
The pitch in the Barbados looks dry. Usually if there are 6 or 7 pitches, they look different. If there is some green grass and some black soil on it, then it gives an idea of different strips, but in Barbados, the whole square looks the same. The different strips are not visible in it and it looks brownish, which rarely happens.
Before the match, two types of rolling techniques were used. Usually the pitch is rolled straight (centre), but rolling has been done on the sides as well, which is surprising. This destroys the grass.
Surya happy with pitch
Meanwhile, India’s Suryakumar Yadav is satisfied with the wicket after batting on low-scoring tracks of New York.
"Last time, also when we were here for ODI, it was a similar kind of wicket. I don't think there has been a lot of cricket played here in the last 10 days. The practice wickets were good. So we're expecting that the game wicket will also be as good," he said in the press conference on June 18.
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