“It might be a good wicket for maybe a day or two” – Ben Stokes reflects on Vizag Pitch for the 2nd Test.

Leading up to the second Test between India and England set to commence on Friday, February 02 in Visakhapatnam, there has been significant anticipation surrounding the anticipated nature of the pitch for the upcoming fixture. Following a well-balanced surface in the first Test, where England’s Ollie Pope orchestrated his team’s resurgence with an impressive 196 in the second innings, speculation is rife about the conditions for the subsequent match.

In the wake of India’s 28-run defeat in the opening Test, expectations are high for the hosts to present an even more demanding pitch for the visiting team in the second encounter. England captain Ben Stokes has offered his initial insights on the pitch, suggesting that it will initially favor both batsmen and bowlers, with an inclination towards increased spin as the match progresses.

Ben Stokes said “It might be a good wicket for maybe a day or two. But out here in India and other parts of the sub-continent, you tend to see it spin more and more as the Test goes deeper and deeper. Even though it looks like there’s a little bit more moisture in there with the heat – and today is very hot again – any footholes or stuff like that might come into play the further the Test goes. It might play a little bit better initially than it did last week, but we don’t like to go in with too many pre-conceived ideas.”

The series opener saw England pull off a remarkable victory despite trailing by 190 runs in the first innings. Ollie Pope spearheaded England’s fightback with a memorable innings, widely regarded as one of the finest displays by a visiting batsman in India. On the bowling front, debutant Tom Hartley made a significant impact, claiming figures of 7/62 to dismiss India for 202 while chasing a target of 231 for victory