![Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786015539462_Shubman_Gill_Gautam_Gambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]
The Indian cricket team management is reportedly not pleased with the pitch set to be used in the upcoming three-day practice match in Sri Lanka. Set to be hosted by the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo, the visitors have complained of too much grass being used on the surface.
It is worth noting that the playing conditions in Sri Lanka traditionally help spin bowlers, especially in Test matches. One can assume that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) curators will also churn out similar spin-friendly surfaces in Galle and Colombo this month for the two-match series.
However, SLC’s decision of leaving grass on the surface for the practice wicket seems to have irked the Indian management to a certain extent, considering such surfaces are unlikely to reflect the spin-friendly conditions they are expected to encounter in the impending series.
SLC official says Team India complained of too much grass
While speaking with Revsportz, Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) official A. Francke said that the Indian cricket team management is not pleased with the excessive grass set to be used on the practice surface.
However, Francke defended SLC’s decision of leaving grass on the surface, claiming that it will be a good wicket and can favor any team depending on their style of play.
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He said “The Indian team said that there is too much grass on the wicket, but that is how we keep it because it is a three-day game. You can't give a wicket without grass. Other than that, they were happy with it. The wicket we have given is a good wicket, so I can't tell whether it will favor any team. It depends on how they play.”
Francke added “The tinge of grass has been requested by Sri Lanka cricket, so we will keep it like that. Maybe conditions will change, but normally NCC wickets are good batting tracks. We are hoping that there will be high scores here. But the Indian batters can have good practice here before they go to Galle.”
Francke also advised the team winning the toss to have a bat first on the surface, and warned the visitors that the spinners will eventually start getting help on Days 2 and 3.
He said “Our wicket may help the spinners on the second day or third day. But I will suggest anybody who wins the toss here to bat first. We always prepare good and fair wickets.”
Gautam Gambhir inspects the pitch with Morne Morkel
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and fast bowling coach Morne Morkel have already analysed the pitch up-close, as per pictures released on social media. On Thursday, August 6, both coaches were spotted inspecting the wickets ahead of India’s warm-up match against the Sri Lanka XI team.
The two former cricketers also seemingly had a brief discussion with each other as they closely examined the surface, assessing the amount of grass and the overall conditions ahead of India's only practice match before the Test series.
Why is Sri Lanka Test series important for India?
The two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka marks a must-win one for the visiting Indian cricket team. In the context of the ongoing 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC), the Shubman Gill-led side needs to win both fixtures, especially after suffering a humiliating 0-2 series defeat at home against South Africa last year.
Team India is currently placed fifth on the nine-team ICC WTC 2025-27 points table with a PCT of 48.15. A 2-0 sweep in Sri Lanka will enhance their PCT to 57.57 to push their bid in becoming one of the top four sides in the championship standings.
Galle, Colombo to host series
The two-match Test series will be played between August 15 and August 27 this month. While the series-opener will be hosted by the iconic Galle International Stadium in Galle, the decider will be played at the SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo.
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