IND vs BAN: India is gearing up to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting November 19. Before that, a notable strategic decision has emerged. The first Test will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. Reports suggest that India is set to employ a familiar tactic from the past to challenge Bangladesh.Indias pitch choiceContrary to expectations of a spin-heavy lineup, India is reportedly preparing to use a red soil pitch for the Chennai Test. According to The Indian Express, this decision aims to exploit Bangladeshs unfamiliarity with red soil pitches, as they typically play on black soil back home. The red soil pitch, with its anticipated grass cover, could offer additional assistance to the bowlers, particularly the pacers.Pace attack over spinThe decision to opt for a pace-heavy attack is reminiscent of Indias approach during the 2019 series against Bangladesh, where pacers played a crucial role. This strategy saw pacers taking 5 out of the 40 wickets that fell throughout the series. For the upcoming Test, India is likely to field three pace bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The third seamer is expected to be either Yash Dayal or Akash Deep, with Dayal potentially getting the nod for his left-arm angle, adding variety to the attack.Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel left outWith the emphasis on pace, the spin department will be limited to just two spots. This means that established spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will miss out. Instead, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are anticipated to fill the spin roles, given their experience and proven track record.As the Indian team prepares for the Test, the focus is on exploiting the conditions at the Chennai venue to gain an edge over Bangladesh. The teams preparation reflects a strategic blend of historical tactics and current strengths, aiming to leverage the conditions to their advantage.
