Mumbai: Ahead of the crucial India-England match in T20 World Cup semi-final, grass left on the pitch at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium has emerged as a talking point. The Indian team management, especially the bowling coach, has expressed concern over how the surface could behave during the high-stakes encounter.
The Wankhede Stadium, as per tradition, is expected to favour the batting unit. But a few concerns remain. According to reports, the pitch curators have retained a tinge of grass, a move that could assist seamers early in the match. It may also provide some assistance to fast bowlers, especially during the early overs.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has pointed to the possibility of dew later in the evening as a “big concern” for the team. He said dew often plays a significant role at the venue and can affect bowlers’ grip and control in the second innings.
Morkel noted that while conditions such as dew cannot be controlled, the team must adapt quickly. He added that the Wankhede pitch generally offers good bounce and carry, meaning bowlers can stay in the contest if they use the conditions effectively.
“I think dew is always a big concern. But that’s again something you can’t control: the toss. I think at Wankhede there’s always that extra bit of bounce. Guys can trust the bounce and play through the line, which can also, as a bowler, bring you into the game. I just feel the margins here are a lot smaller. The ball travels; it’s quite a small ground,” he said, as quoted by NDTV.
India and England are set to clash in the second semi-final of the tournament on Thursday, with the winner advancing to the final against either South Africa or New Zealand.
