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"Tough to say," said Williamson about the team combination. "Looking at it (pitch) yesterday, it
was certainly quite bare at both ends. In saying that, there was a lot of weather around, it was a
little bit soft so we want to have another look today. We are yet to decide on the balance we'll go
in with."
It has rained, albeit not too heavily, in the days building up to the Test in Indore. It might be a
matter of concern for the groundsman but the pitch is expected to be one that isn't too different
from typical Indian pitches. There has been a tendency to make the pitches even more spinfriendly in recent times and it remains to be seen if Indore is an exception to that, like Kolkata.
India will be fielding another different eleven under Virat Kohli but that isn't an indicator to an
unsettled combination but rather a testament to their bench strength.
The Test will be filled with sub-plots to watch out for. The predicament of Gautam Gambhir, the
historical significance of Indore's maiden Test and a lot more.
The cricket in this series has been fascinating. We've seen Kohli being taken out with a short-ball
plan, we've seen him respond with more aggression. We've seen the Indian lower-order's batting
growing into its pillar, led by Saha. The Indian spinners have outshone their counterparts through
skillful use of the pitches. The pacers have found reverse swing whenever a ball has been
replaced. New Zealand have worked tirelessly in trying to match up to the intensity under trying
heat.
Indore is a culmination of all these battles and a lot more. If New Zealand have picked up on a
few important lessons, they will be sure to give India a run for their money. And it couldn't be a
better setting for a first Test, dead rubber or not.