The second Test between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune from Oct 24 onwards.
One of the shocking things that came to light after India lost to New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru was how ineffective Indian spin twins R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja proved to be on the home pitch.
While Ashwin only took one wicket in both innings, Jadeja claimed three. The surface at Chinnaswamy provided some assistance to the spinners, but it was insufficient for Ashwin and Jadeja to turn the match in India's favor.
With the Indian spin combination failing to impress in the series opener, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the curators will be under pressure to provide them with more assistance from the surface.
Manjrekar pointed out that if the strip favors the pacers in the next two Tests, India seamers might utilize it well but the Kiwis will benefit more from it.
"Pressure is more on the curators for the next two Test matches. If India gets pitches that they like... I think one of the big takeaways was how Ashwin and Jadeja didn't make an impact on an Indian pitch that had a bit of a turn. So, obviously, they need more help and that will be given, I guess, India can win with seamers as well but New Zealand pacers will use those conditions and may be as good or even better than the Indian seamers," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
Manjrekar was certain that India would win the series, claiming that giving rank-turners to the spinners would make life easy for the hosts.
"I see India coming back. Even in Bengaluru, there were some champion performances they put in after getting 46. To be competing right till the very end was just incredible. India is a very dangerous team with match-winners who have great self-belief. But, the pitch, if it turns out to be a rank turner will just make India's life much easier," Manjrekar added.
The second Test will be played in Pune from October 24 onwards and the third and final Test in Mumbai will begin from November 1.