Motera, not a happy hunting ground for India in Tests

The relaying of the wicket has resulted in 20 per cent less clay content in the soil mix, according to Gujarat Cricket Association sources in the know-how of the pitch preparations.

The pitch is being watered but care is taken to see that it's not in excess as the content of clay component in the mix has been brought down from 75 per cent earlier to round 55 per cent, the sources informed.

They also dismissed fears that the match may not last five days though the pitch looked bone-dry to the naked eye and appears to be loaded in favour of spin bowling. Only two 50-over practice games have been played to test the wicket after it had been relaid.

"It's a five-day wicket, but ultimately the duration of any game depends on how the teams play on it. There would be some carry and movement in the initial stages," the GCA sources maintained.

However, the general opinion is that the dry wicket will crumble at some stage of the game and produce a result.

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