Among the verbal confrontations in the India vs Australia series in the first two tests, one another highlight was the pitch that was used.

Pune pitch was signed off as "poor" as the Test match ended in two and a half days. It was a struggle for players all throughout the Test match as none of the players were able to cope up with the uneven bounce of the pitch.

The next Test match at Bengaluru lasted for 4 days with both teams playing competitive cricket and ultimately India winning the contest. It was a friendlier wicket with both teams dishing out a competitive encounter to make the Test series more interesting.
Now all the focus shifts to Ranchi and Virat Kohli had already had his say on the 22 yards.

"We can't do much about the Ranchi pitch, you know how it's always been," the 28-year-old said after the victory in Bengaluru, effectively conceding any thoughts of a 'home advantage' when the rivalry resumes.

"It's always been slow and low, they know exactly what to expect there and we know what to expect as well. It's how you mentally prepare, mentally what kind of zone you are in as a team" added Kohli.

Kohli, however, still expects his spearhead slow bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to continue what they have been doing over a successful home season.
"The spinners have been outstanding and they will definitely look to back their strengths and dominate the home season as they've done so far," the India captain added of the top-ranked bowlers in test cricket.

Pitch curator SB Singh has prepared three strips for the match and promised that any one of them would lead to a fair contest between bat and ball.

"The team will choose the strip two days before the match," Singh told NDTV channel.
 "The pitch will suit both the batsmen and bowlers, and will definitely last five days" was the curator's opinion.