IND vs ENG 1st Test 2024: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Pitch Report, Test Records & Stats

IND vs ENG 1st Test 2024: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Pitch Report, Test Records & Stats

India and England are set to engage in a five-match Test series commencing on Thursday, January 25. Following a dominant performance that resulted in a 3-0 victory over England in the recent T20I series, India aims to maintain its winning momentum. The Test series is scheduled to conclude on March 7, featuring matches at diverse venues across India, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala.

IND vs ENG 1st Test 2024: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Pitch Report

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium boasts a batting-friendly pitch, a deviation from the trend of spin-friendly surfaces seen in many recent Indian venues. Despite the inclination towards high scores for batsmen, bowlers remain influential in Hyderabad. The last match held at this venue showcased a balanced contest, with both batsmen and bowlers making significant contributions. In the game, both teams surpassed the 300-run mark in their first innings, and both pacers and spinners found success, with fast bowlers claiming 18 of the 30 wickets, and spinners securing the remaining 12.

With an average first-inning score of 405, the pitch reveals its favorability for batting, particularly in the initial innings. However, chasing in the fourth inning poses a formidable challenge, as evidenced by the rarity of successful chases. Out of the five matches played at this venue, only once has a team managed to chase down a target, and that too was a modest 72-run pursuit in the fourth inning.

The last Test match held at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium occurred in 2018, and since then, there has been a shift in the pitch preparation trends in India. While expectations may lean towards a surface conducive to batsmen, the possibility of encountering a spin-friendly pitch in Hyderabad cannot be ruled out, especially considering England’s adeptness in dealing with such conditions.

IND vs ENG 1st Test 2024: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Test Records & Stats

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, situated in Hyderabad, India, has hosted a total of 5 Test matches, with the inaugural one taking place on December 11, 2010, and the last on December 10, 2018. Formerly known as Visaka International Cricket Stadium, the venue has seen a dominant performance by the home side, winning 80% of the matches played.

In terms of batting first or second, the statistics are evenly split, with both scenarios resulting in victory 40% of the time. The team winning the toss has also experienced a similar success rate. Additionally, 20% of the matches ended in draws, showcasing the competitive nature of encounters at this venue.

Notable individual and team performances have been recorded at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Brendon McCullum’s impressive innings of 225 for New Zealand on December 11, 2010, stands as the highest individual score. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin holds the records for the best bowling figures in both innings (6/31) and match (12/85), achieved on August 23, 2012, against New Zealand.

The highest team innings was posted by India at 687/6 declared on February 9, 2017, against Bangladesh. On the other hand, the West Indies recorded the lowest team innings with 127 on December 10, 2018, against India. The highest successful run chase at this venue was 75/0 by India against the West Indies on December 10, 2018.

Statistically, the average opening stand is 42.83, the average runs per wicket is 36.29, and the average runs per over is 3.16. When batting first, the teams have posted an average score of 405 at this ground, emphasizing its inclination towards favorable conditions for batsmen.