Pictures expose bizarre Indian ploy as Aussie concerns grow over first Test pitch - Fox Sports

Eyebrows have been raised ahead of the first Test in Nagpur after Indian curators reportedly adopted a unique strategy in preparing the pitch just two days before the first ball.

According to reporters on the ground, only the centre of the Nagpur wicket was watered and rolled while the area where bowlers will target left-handers was left bone dry.

This was the same at either end of the wicket in what appeared to be a deliberate ploy to make life difficult for left-handers, who for Australia include David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head.

Cricbuzz writer Bharat Sundaresan spotted the preparations and posted pictures to Twitter, clearly showing the pitch being more lush through the middle and on a good length for right-handers, but looking dry on the other side.

David Warner was reportedly seen during the day getting down on his knees to inspect the area outside what will be his off-stump, as he prepares to face Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, among other India spin options.

Warner will be the first to get a taste of how the pitch plays, but Australia’s XI is likely to be left-hander heavy with Khawaja and Head joined by Alex Carey and potentially Matthew Renshaw.