Clay from Unnao pond used for Kanpur Test pitch preparation

It’s not a secret anymore that the India Cricket Team will get a black-soil pitch for the IND vs BAN Kanpur Test cricket pitch. Green Park Stadium is already famed for its low and slow surface that will assist spin. But for the IND vs BAN 2nd Test, Green Park Stadium has imported clay from a pond from Kali Mitti hamlet in Unnao some 20 kilometres away.

This seemingly small detail has profound effects on the nature of the pitch. It will impact the players’ strategies as well as team management.

The significance of soil in cricket pitch

A cricket pitch’s quality is linked to the soil it is made from. The texture, moisture retention, and composition of the soil determine how the ball behaves after it hits the surface. Soil from different regions can produce vastly different types of pitches. For example, clay-heavy soil might produce a pitch that offers more spin, while red soil leads to a faster, bouncier pitch.

Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium pitch has taken a unique approach by sourcing soil from Unnao, a nearby district as per a Sports Tak report. This decision will have substantial consequences. For example, India captain and coach pair Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir will need to add an extra spinner, unlike the Chennai Test.

That also means benching the third seamer India had in Chennai. Whether Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel will come in will depend on how much turn the Green Park Stadium pitch has to offer.

However, the pitch curator believes the batters will have something in it too.

“That Chennai match vibe will be present. Everyone will find something to enjoy in it. It will be reasonably decent for batting for the first two days and will provide bounce in the first two sessions. The final three days will see the spinners come into action,” BCCI’s pitch curator Shiv Kumar told PTI.

Why Unnao Soil?

The pond soil from Unnao is rich in clay content. It gives the pitch the ability to retain moisture longer and makes the surface harder as it dries. This results in a pitch that is more conducive to spin bowling.

“The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) tests this dirt for us. This unique soil is located in the village of Kali Mitti, next to a pond. We have been moving black soil from the community for years,” a UPCA official told PTI.

Characteristics of Unnao’s Soil:

• High clay content: It allows better moisture retention, contributing to spin-friendly conditions.
• Durability: Once compacted, it creates a harder surface, ideal for a balanced pitch.
• Controlled dryness: As the match progresses, the pitch dries in a way that leads to unpredictable behaviour, particularly benefiting spinners.

Nightmare for batters?

But the weather could play a part too. With rain predicted on the first two days of the Test that begins on Sep 27, the Green Park Stadium pitch will be a little damp. Pond clay is naturally excellent in retaining moisture. With rain around, there could be dampness on the Kanpur pitch. It will lead to a low bounce, making it difficult to bat on. Similarly, for bowlers, it could be a field day. If the weather stays overcast, the match could be even over in three days.

Virat Kohli has already struggled against spin this season. It was evident in Chennai net sessions while he struggled against Axar Patel in Kanpur practice as well.