India vs Sri Lanka 2017: Mohali to welcome Team India with a grassy wicket

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One of the major talking points of India's seven-wicket loss in the first ODI against Sri Lanka was the 22-yard strip that was used for the match. The match saw the ball seaming around as if the teams were playing at Chester-le-Street on a cloudy day and the Indian batsmen were dancing to the tunes of Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep and were dismissed for just 112.

Only one Indian batsman managed to cross 20 runs and the side had as many as seven players getting out for a single digit score. With series on the line ahead of the second ODI, a similar wicket is set to welcome the Indian team at the PCA stadium in Mohali.

It has been revealed that the wicket has some grass cover on it and with India trailing the series, it is unclear whether the grass will be shaved off or not.

The wicket at the venue has traditionally favoured fast bowlers as it will provide them with a lot of bounce and movement to work with. Adding to this, the weather in the city is expected to be chilly and light rains are forecasted ahead of the match.

In an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, former India player Bhupinder Singh Sr, who has represented Punjab and also coached them, predicts that the wicket will be bald.

“With India down, it’s likely that the last speck of grass will be shaved off. Otherwise, if the grass is left on it, the conditions will be similar to those in Dharamsala. The conditions and weather all help bounce, seam and swing, but I think you are likely to see a bald pitch by December 13,” said Bhupinder, who has plenty of experience at Mohali.

He also added that white ball will help seamers for the first 10-12 overs and once the shine goes off, the ball is likely to come nicely onto the bat.

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