Chennai likely to roll out red soil pitch for first Test between India, Bangladesh

The much-awaited Test series between India and Bangladesh is all set to get underway on September 19 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Tigers are coming into the series on the back of a historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan. Hence, it would be interesting to see the kind of pitches India will serve in the upcoming two-Test series.

According to a report published in Indian daily newspaper The Indian Express, the opening Test is set to take place on a pitch which has predominantly comprised of red soil content.

Bangladesh are used to playing on black-soil pitches, which tend to be firmer due to the higher clay content and favour the spinners right from the start.

On the other hand, red soil would have lesser clay content and would show more bounce on the initial days and crack up as the Test match progresses. Both fast bowlers and spinners can play their roles on such tracks.

The red soil track could be the choice bearing in mind that India would be touring Australia for five Test matches later this year.

On Friday (September 13), Rohit Sharma and his men had their first training session in Chennai ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh. India's new bowling coach Morne Morkel also had his first session with the team.

As per the report, Morkel was seen spending most of the time with the pacers which included the likes of Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and others. Morkel is likely to have a one-on-one session with the bowling attack in the coming days.