Last Updated on 8 months by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: A look at the Ranchi pitch report for the 4th Test between India and England

There is a good chance spin may play an even bigger role in the fourth Test between India and England that kicks off on the 23rd of February in Ranchi. Captain Ben Stokes described the pitch as “very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it,” indicating the surface could take turn quite early in the game.

“It looked interesting, didn’t it? I don’t know, I can’t say much,” said Stokes.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen something like that before so I have got no idea [how it might play]. I don’t know what could happen.”

Ranchi pitch report: What does the surface look like before the game?

Stokes then described the surface, saying it looks different to what he’s used to in India. “If you looked down on side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India,” said the England captain.

“It looked green and grassy up in the changing-rooms, but then you go out there, it looked different. Very dark and crumbly, and quite a few cracks in it.”

Eyes will be on how quickly the pitch takes spin. Conditions are forecast to be in the mid-late 20s with sunshine throughout the match, which could widen any cracks that appear.

“The top layer looked crusty. The cracks in the wicket aren’t just cracks, there are separate bits of ground that could open up with a lot of sun on them. The ball could deviate more off them if they open up like we expect them to,” said batsman Ollie Pope.

Ranchi has played host to two Test matches. The first, in 2017, was a high-scoring draw between India and Australia. Two years later, Rohit Sharma struck 212 as the hosts knocked South Africa off by an innings and 202 runs.

So, it will be interesting to see how the surface plays in the upcoming Test. Interestingly, Akash Deep is likely to make his Test debut in place of the rested Jasprit Bumrah, which suggests that India may feel the pitch won’t be the raging turner some expect.

“It looked green and grassy up in the changing-rooms, but then you go out there, it looked different. Very dark and crumbly, and quite a few cracks in it.”

England captain Ben Stokes on the Ranchi pitch.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan shared his thoughts on X, formerly Twitter. He believes a turning track, along with Bumrah’s absence, gives England a chance.

“I hear the pitch in Ranchi will be like the first Test,” wrote Vaughan. “Lots of spin & a shorter game. Brings Englands spinners into the game. One seamer & Dan Lawrence to play is my guess. England will a good chance with No Bumrah as well.”

England must win this Test to keep the series alive. No team has won a Test series in India since 2012, and this England team had dreams of doing so after a superb win in Hyderabad.

But, two defeats – the latest a 434-run hiding – has left England needing a huge turnaround to achieve victory.