Pitch takes centrestage as India hope to level the series against New Zealand

'Home advantage' seems to be in the centre stage before the second India-New Zealand Test starting in Pune from Thursday. Already trailing 0-1 in the three-match Test series, India need a win to level the series to be in the hunt for a World Test Championship final spot as well. Two contrasting practice sessions could help both teams ahead of the match as well.

New Zealand, who will again be without star batter Kane Williamson due to his recovery, had a three-hour stint in the morning as well. However, the match pitch was largely covered during this time but when the hosts arrived at 1:30 pm, the covers were removed.

Pitch in focus for the second Test

Meanwhile, captain Rohit Sharma, coach Gautam Gambhir, MCA curator Jyotiram Phalke and BCCI curators Ashish Bhowmick and Taposh Chatterjee were the centre of attraction. Meanwhile, four members of the ground staff were seen rubbing the entire 22-yard with a focus on certain areas as well. However, the pitch already looked devoid of grass as well.

However, the Indian cricket team management decided to add all-rounder Washington Sundar to the squad for the rest of the two matches following the defeat against New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate denied any such reports and shared that the decision was taken to add a bowling option keeping the New Zealand left-handers in mind.

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Ryan ten Doeschate opens up on the bowling unit

“Definitely not. They (New Zealand) are filled with four left-handers in the XI. We've had Washy around the white-ball squad for a while and we like the way he operates. It's also nice to see that guys are getting rewarded for Ranji Trophy performance as well. We just want to make sure we're absolutely prepared for conditions here and if that does mean taking the ball away from the left-hander, we want that option,” he told the media.

He also said that fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is currently going through a bit of a "wicket drought" but he also added that there is nothing to suggest that he is struggling with his form right now.

“Siraj bowled beautifully in the second innings. That hour of Test match cricket on the last morning was really high quality,” he said. “It maybe wasn't a nicking wicket, which is obviously his big strength, particularly to left-handers when he moves the ball across. There's nothing there to say like he's not bowling well or his rhythm is not good. Maybe he's just going through a little bit of a wicket drought. But no concerns again. India will have to play according to the conditions and not against fast bowling in particular."