India, Feb. 24 -- India's defeat to South Africa, and their underlying struggles in the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, have once again brought the focus back to pitches, with the defending champions staring at possible elimination from the home tournament. However, a media report suggests the team management may heave a sigh of relief on Chennai's "fresh" surface.

According to a report in The Times of India, the Indian team arrived in Chennai on Monday for their must-win Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. After suffering a 76-run defeat to South Africa in their opening game of the stage, India now sit third in the points table.

Beyond their struggles against spin, India's power-hitters have also found it difficult against pace-off deliveries,...