Docile pitch, yet a memorable match
Previous test matches in Chepauk MAC stadium have been a real test of skill for both batsmen and bowlers. Think back to the tied test against Australia in 1986 or the agonising loss to Pakistan in 1999. But this time around, the pitch has been a feather bed till now, late into the 4th day. There has been nothing for the bowlers so far.
Yet this match will be remembered for the highest test score by an Indian batsman. It was in this same stadium that Gavaskar scored his 236 n.o. against West Indies, which was the highest score by an Indian for a long time. It took a great effort from Laxman in 2001 to go past that and Sehwag upped it in Multan in 2004. After seven years, the record has come back to Chepauk.
Do you still think a result is possible in this match?
"Think back to the tied test against Australia in 1986 or the agonising loss to Pakistan in 1999"
Throughout the mid to late 80s, Chepauk was a featherbed. It was fast and furious in the 70s and early 80s. That tied test had a really flat track and the match was made interesting only by a brave declaration by the Ausssies after dominating the Test for 4 days. Again in the 80s, Gooch and Gatting swept Sivaramakrishnan away to 650 odd. So, Chepauk was at its worst then — it was at its best in the 70s when it was said to be the fastest in the world.
In the 90s, the fast track that became a featherbed was converted into a spinners’ wicket — actually, a good spinners’ wicket. One where quality spinners could hurry the batsmen with fast turn and biting bounce. And, one where good shots had value.
Now, it looks like a throwback to the 80s. I suspect, the bad weather leading up to the game had an impact on the preparation of the wicket. We’ll have to cut some slack to the wonderful ground.