All Eyes on 'Virgin' Pitch

As India and the West Indies finalise preparations for the opening Test, all eyes are on the wicket at the Wankhede Stadium.

According to published reports, the newly laid wicket looks "under-prepared" and could give the bowlers the edge, especially on the first day. Work on the strip started only four days ago and the curator Nadeem Memon has rolled more than a fair share of grass into it.

Reports say the Wankhede Stadium wicket sports a bit of grass rolled well into the ground and seems to offer low bounce as compared to the ones that were prepared for the Tests against South Africa and Australia last eyar.

India losts both Tests, mainly because of the extra bounce offered by the pitch and the likes of Merv Dillon, Pedro Collins, Jeremy Lawson, Cameron Cuffy and Darrel Powell must be licking their chops and hoping for an hearly bowl.

But, the virgin pitch is not expected to offer a lot of bounce and, as the match progresses, many believe it will favour the Indian spinners.

"The entire outfield has also been worked over by the ground staff, but rains till late last month have been a hindrance in completing it. As a result several bald patches are visible at the southern end of the ground close to the teams' dressing rooms which would be set right over the next few days," Curator Memon told reporters.