Rohit Sharma may keep saying that he doesn’t like the focus to be on the pitch, but the fact is that the 22-yard strip will remain the talking point because so much depends on it. The first thing the captain and coach do is inspect the strip because the strategy of a team depends on the type of pitch on offer. And it’s no different for the crucial fourth Test match begins at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Thursday.

There were two pitches prepared on the extreme sides—one surface with a bit of grass on it and another rather bald one, which obviously will be used for the game. One wonders why the extreme edges have been chosen to prepare the pitches, rather than using the four centre strips.