The pitch served for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati is more suited to Indian team's current template, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said.

India lost the series opener in Kolkata by 30 runs, failing to chase a paltry target of 124 on a crumbling track. As a result, the surface was the center of attention before the start of the second Test.

Ten Doeschate termed the first day track as the one where scoring runs was a little difficult. Most of the Proteas top-order batters were dismissed after getting starts. The visitors ended the opening day on 247/6 after opting to bat.

"My personal point of view is that the wicket very rarely determines who wins the game. If we'd played better in Kolkata, I feel we could have won the Test on that surface," Ten Doeschate told reporters after the close of play on Saturday.

"But having said that, you've got to introspect and look at recent results. These sort of wickets maybe do suit us a little bit better."

India's decision two play two fast bowlers, one pace bowling all-rounder and three spinners is a strategy that could possibly come in handy on this surface.

"The template for us is probably closer to this, than playing on some of the wickets we have played on. You've got to be prepared to fight really hard and this game is going to go deep. Make sure you stay in the game."

The Dutchman made a candid admission that Guwahati stadium's strip is far better than what was dished out at Eden Gardens.

"I thought it's a massive contrast from the Kolkata pitch, for one thing. We were expecting a better wicket. I thought it was pretty lifeless."

".....but I've just heard Tristan Stubbs say that it was quite hard to score as well. I think it was just good old-fashioned attritional test cricket."

According to the Indian assistant coach, the drift of the game could be gauged once both teams have completed their first essays as it will get difficult to bat in the third and fourth innings.

"Real hard toil and first-innings runs are going to be very important. And then hopefully a little bit late in the Test it becomes a bit tougher to bat on."

Kuldeep Yadav was the stand-out bowler for India on Day 1, returning with three wickets by conceding 48 runs in his 17 overs.

"We know Kuldeep's strike rate is phenomenal. But maybe the fact that he sort of gets overspin and with the red soil and a little bit more pace in the wicket, maybe he was slightly more effective in the conditions today," Ten Doeschate said, explaining the reason for left-arm wrist-spinner's success when the pitch didn't offer much.

He is confident that as the Test match progresses, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the two finger spinners, will also come into play.

"And like I said, I think later on, the finger spinners are going to come into it. But certainly in terms of strategy and how we wanted to set up the first day, it's a real bonus for him (Kuldeep) to pick up three wickets and get us a foothold in the game."

Ryan ten Doeschate believes India will bat their first innings on a strip which allows them to make most of it before it eventually deteriorates.

"We just went to have a look at the pitch now. There's some foot marks and some tiny ball marks, but nothing to suggest it's dry or cracking at the top. So fingers crossed that it lasts and plays well for the next few days."

(With PTI Inputs)