‘I’m sure the pitches will turn…which potentially negates a bit of their strength’: Jonny Bairstow on IND vs ENG series | Cricket News

England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow said that if India tends to provide surfaces that spin from day one, they will suppress the threat their own pace attack has been posing in recent times with the red-ball.
“Look, I’m sure the pitches will turn: it’s whether or not they’ll turn from day one, which potentially negates a bit of their strength in their seam attack. We know how strong they are,” he said on Sky Sports.
“India can produce different pitches: it doesn’t have to turn. We’ve seen how potent their seam attack has been recently,” suggested Bairstow.
The last time England toured India, there was severe criticism of the pitches provided. After losing the first Test in Chennai, India managed to win the series 3-1. However, the pacers did not have much to do because of the rank-turners.
“Obviously, the last time Axar and Ashwin played well. You forget that in that first Test match, the guys played really well, Rooty (Joe Root) got a double in the first Test match in Chennai and then conditions changed quite drastically,” Bairstow recalled.
There has also been uncertainty about the role of Baow in the series as Ben Foakes, too, has been selected in the squad, raising a few questions on who will keep wickets.
“I’ve not spoken to anyone about that. As long as I’m over there, as long as I’m fit and firing, the selection decisions will be taken out of my hands. But look, I’m fairly happy with where I’m at, whether I’m keeping, batting, or whatever it is,” he said.
England will start their series in Hyderabad, followed games in Vishakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi, and play the final Test in Dharamsala.
Schedule:
1st Test in Hyderabad on January 25
2nd Test in Visakhapatnam on February 2
3rd Test in Rajkot on February 15
4th Test in Ranchi on February 23
5th Test in Dharamsala on March 7