Published 10:49 IST, November 12th 2019
Pujara, Rahane excited for pink-ball Test, says India can adapt easily
Team India's top Test batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane have expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the pink ball ahead of the D/N Test
Team India's top Test batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the pink ball ahead of the historic Day-Night Test at Eden Gardens. As India gear up to face Bangladesh in their first-ever Day-Night test beginning from November 22, the two Test batsmen who have already had prior experience of playing with the pink ball in the domestic season are confident about the team adapting to the new feature. After sealing a 2-1 series win in the shortest format, India will now look to extend their dominance on top of the World test Championship table with a win against Bangladesh in the upcoming test series.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane excited for new test
Pujara, who has played the pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, said that the five-day game will be very exciting for the team and that it was going to be different from first-class cricket. Pujara said that there would be difficulty in visibility during twilight and under the light. Rahane said that the team would experience the pink ball in the practice sessions before the game and through the game as well. Backing Team India to adapt to the new conditions, both Rahane and Pujara said that the team would easily adapt to it and that with many practice sessions, the team would get a fair idea about it. Rahane said that he had learned that the batsmen should play the shot as late as possible with the pink ball as it swings quite late. Pujara also revealed that while he was comfortable with the pink ball, some of his domestic teammates had pointed pout that they could not pick the wrong deliveries from the wrist spinners.
When did pink-ball cricket start?
Day-Night Test matches are played with a pink ball which ensures optimum visibility in the air and on the ground. The first Day-Night Test match was played between Australia and New Zealand in 2015 at Adelaide and ended up being won by Australia. The match balls were chosen to be pink after manufacturer Kookaburra experimented with optic yellow and bright orange. The seam was changed to black after ex-Aussie skipper Steve Smith mentioned that the seam of the ball needed to be more visible, after participating in the first day-night Test match.
Updated 11:07 IST, November 12th 2019