IND vs ENG 4th Test: What To Expect From Ranchi Pitch As England Look To Level The Series

IND vs ENG 4th Test: Here's what to expect from the pitch in Ranchi's JSCA International Stadium Complex for the next India vs England Test match.

Ravi Ashwin being congratulated by captain Rohit Sharma after taking the wicket of Zak Crawley to reach his 500th Test Wicket during day two of the 3rd Test Match between India and England on February 16, 2024 in Rajkot, India.

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The eagerly anticipated Test series between India and England is nearing its conclusion as the two sides prepare to face off in the 4th IND vs ENG Test match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, set to commence on February 23 (Friday). While the pitches in the three Tests earlier were relatively balanced, providing an engaging battle between bat and ball, there could be a shift in dynamics for the 4th India vs England Test.

Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, informed the media that there is rough terrain outside the off stump for both right and left-handed batsmen. As days two and three progress, these rough patches can be expected to expand, making conditions favourable for spinners. Opting to bat first is anticipated to be the strategy to capitalise on the fresh wicket, as chasing in the fourth innings is expected to be exceptionally challenging. 

It is worth mentioning that the previous Test match India played in Ranchi resulted in a significant victory over the South African team. In the third Test of the three-match series in 2019, India triumphed over South Africa by an innings and 202 runs, showcasing a dominant performance on home turf.

'Never Seen Something Like That' Says Ben Stokes

The England cricket team captain, Ben Stokes, expressed surprise at the pitch for the upcoming fourth Test against India in Ranchi, stating that he has never encountered anything similar before. With the match set to begin on Friday, it holds crucial significance for the visitors as they need a victory to level the series, currently trailing 1-2 in the five-match contest.

"I've never seen something like that before. I have got no idea so I don't know what could happen. If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India. It looked green and grassy up in the changing rooms, but then you go out there it looked different: very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it," Stokes told BBC Sport.

Team India Batting Coach Terms The Ranchi Pitch As 'A Typical Indian Wicket'

In contrast, India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, was straightforward about the pitch and characterised the Ranchi pitch as a typical Indian wicket, offering advantages to spin bowlers in the upcoming IND vs ENG Test. Although Rathour acknowledged the likelihood of spin on the Ranchi pitch, he noted the uncertainty regarding the extent and timing of spin assistance for the spinners.

"In India, there is always a conversation about the pitch. This [Ranchi] looks like a typical Indian wicket and seems like it will turn. But I am not sure how much it will turn or when will it start to. We have the required balance in our team to deal with any situation," Rathour said on the eve of the match.