Cricket fans are buzzing as India prepares to take on New Zealand at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. But if you’re expecting a high-scoring game where the ball disappears into the stands every second ball, you might want to manage your expectations a little.
Raipur’s ground is known for one thing: its sheer size. Unlike some of the smaller venues where even a mis-hit goes for six, the boundaries here are massive. This means batsmen have to actually work for their runs, and fielders stay very busy in the deep.
The Pitch: A Balanced Battlefield
The pitch at Raipur generally offers something for everyone. In the early stages of the game, the fast online bowlers usually find a bit of bounce and movement. As the game progresses, it tends to slow down, making life a little easier for spinners. However, because the ground is so large, spinners feel more confident tossing the ball up—they aren’t as afraid of getting hit for sixes.
The “Dew” Factor
The real game-changer in Raipur is often the dew. Since it’s a night match, the grass gets wet in the second innings. This makes the ball slippery, which is a nightmare for bowlers and a huge advantage for the team batting second. It’s why you’ll almost certainly see the captain who wins the toss choose to bowl first without a second thought.
What do the numbers say?
Historically, this hasn’t been a venue where teams consistently put up 200+ scores. It’s a ground where a score around 160-170 is quite competitive. It tests the “cricket IQ” of the players—knowing when to run hard for two and when to take the risk of a big shot.
If you’re heading to the stadium or settling on your couch to watch, keep an eye on the powerplay. If the openers can negotiate the initial swing, we’re in for a tactical masterpiece rather than just a slugfest.
Read More: Boundaries, Dew, and Heartbreak : What Every Cricket Fan Needs to Know Before the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I
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