Rahul Dravid expresses thoughts on Hyderabad pitch ahead of first test against England

Rahul Dravid (Pic: File Pic)

Ahead of the first test match between India and England in Hyderabad, the hosts team head coach Rahul Dravid is expecting the pitch to be a "good one" but he also feels that spin will come into play as the game goes on.

Ahead of the first Test starting here on Thursday, the 22-yard trampoline here spotted a dry look, especially from the good length area on either side of it.

Hard one to say (nature of pitch). We will have a look once it (match) starts and figure it out. It looks a good one from what I've seen, Dravid began his statement during Tuesday's media interaction.

Also Read: "He's pretty close to negative": Cummins backs Head to recover from COVID

"But may spin a little bit. How quickly and how fast, I'm not sure. But it might spin a little bit certainly as the game goes on", Dravid added.

The visitors' fast bowler Mark Wood said that England had a discussion about the nature of the pitch but without creating disarray in their minds.

"The England team has discussed about the pitch but not at the length where we have to worry about it. We have enough self-belief in our group that we can do something special. We have good spinners, seamer and batters and also a good history behind us", England pacer Mark Wood.

Also Read: Satwik-Chirag pair regains world no. 1 ranking

Wood, however, acknowledged that the England players will have to do well on the tracks on offer during the series. We know that this is a massive task. It's not good coming here and rolling over thinking it's going to be tough because the pitches are not what we're used to. We have to find a way.

"We'll adapt. We've got a captain who always wants to take the game forward. So, it should be an entertaining series, said Wood.

However, that adaptation just might not be an easy process for the Englishmen. We've had enough time to prepare the pitch. There will be help for both batsmen and bowlers, but as the match moves on it will turn, but I think, these players are experienced enough to apply themselves and make runs, said an HCA official, who did not want to be named, told PTI.

The Indian team hit the ground and practised for about two hours on Tuesday. All the squad members were seen practising except India's lead pace Jasprit Bumrah.

(With PTI Inputs)