Image Credit- Reuters
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium underwent
renovations in November, including the installation of a new roof over the
stands. This explains why Brendon McCullum is staring up at it as if he’s just
reconnected with an old acquaintance who has changed their hairstyle a little.
It could also have been the expression of a guy
wondering if in his prime he could have made a dent in it. In 2010, he gave it
a fair shot. In a lavish innings of 225 balls with six boundaries, a slap-happy
Hyderabad special saw him smash four sixes. The innings itself appeared easy,
even though it took the better part of six hours. On this basis, it continues
to be the highest Test score.
More than 13 years later, at England’s first training
session in India, McCullum was once again out in the middle as red balls zipped
about him. The opposition had more room to manoeuvre because the hosts were
undermanned during their optional session. Most sprinted over to the pitch.
“It looked good,” McCullum said. “It
looks like it’s going to spin.
“It may not turn right from the word go, but
you’d think at some stage it will turn and I’m sure spin will be a huge factor
throughout the series.”
Most importantly, none of this was presented as an
issue. It is evident that England entered this tour determined not to let a
home board selecting their own pitches to unsettle them. Even further, McCullum
referred to the groundskeeper as “a good fella” who performs “a
really good job” in order to endorse him. He believes that the uncertainty
should be enjoyed because he has spent years loving cricket in this area, which
he refers to as “a home away from home,” and the unpredictable
aspects that go along with it. It offers the potential for something
noteworthy.
“When we started out on this journey a fair while
ago we wanted to provide as much entertainment as we possibly can,”
McCullum said. “We felt that gave us the best chance as well. What better
stage to do it on – against India, in India?
“There’ll be many eyeballs watching around the
world and it’s a huge opportunity for us. India is the land of opportunity, and
that’s what sits in front of us now. That’s the exciting thing. how long the
games go, I’ve no idea but I’m sure both teams will stick to their respective
styles. Throughout the Ashes, it was two heavyweights going at it with
different styles, and I expect it to be the same in this series.”