India are gearing to play its maiden Day-Night Test against Bangladesh at the historic Eden Gardens from November 22 to 26.
India are gearing to play its maiden Day-Night Test against Bangladesh at the historic Eden Gardens from November 22 to 26.
The team management has even requested the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) to organise for training under lights for Virat Kohli and boys.
Ahead of the epic clash, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video in which Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane talk about the issues they could face as batsmen.
Pujara, Rahane looking forward to the historic pink-ball Test
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2019
Ahead of the Test series, #TeamIndia batsmen @ajinkyarahane88 and @cheteshwar1 are excited to play the pink-ball Test and consider adaptation the key.
Full video here - https://t.co/nsqitG3gaF pic.twitter.com/c3xDx2qTAH
The Test will not only be the first day-night affair for both sides but will also mark the first official appearance of SG pink balls.
1. Visibility will be an issue in twilight - Cheteshwar Pujara
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Cheteshwar Pujara told ‘bcci.tv’: “I have played earlier with the pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, that was a good experience. Playing with the pink ball at the domestic level could come in handy”.
Majority of the cricketers will be playing with the pink ball for the first time in their careers.
However, cricketers like Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, and Kuldeep Yadav have played with the Kookaburra pink ball in Duleep Trophy.
“Visibility is not an issue during the day, it will be an issue in twilight and under lights, the twilight could be a little difficult. Those sessions will be crucial.” Pujara added. “Most players have said that picking the wrist spinners’ wrong ‘un is a little difficult.”
2. Playing the ball late and close to the body will be the key - Ajinkya Rahane
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Ajinkya Rahane, who has been training ahead of the match said, “It is a new challenge, we don’t know how things will pan out. But two-three practice sessions before the match will give us a fair idea about the pink ball -- how much it swings, how the ball plays session wise.”
“Playing the ball late and close to the body will be the key. I don’t think we will have much trouble adapting to the pink ball,” he added.
Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara hit the nets under the guidance of former India captain and NCA Head of Cricket, Rahul Dravid.
3. Pink ball and the what Bangladesh think about their winning chances.
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The pink ball will be used for the first time in India during the India-Bangladesh day-night match at Eden Gardens from November 22.
The Indian cricketers practised with the SG pink ball under lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Bangladesh have played only one first-class match with the pink ball.
However, India’s inexperience of playing with the pink ball may work in Bangladesh’s favour, believes touring team’s head coach Russell Domingo.
“As a coach, I think it’s a great opportunity. I don’t think India played a pink-ball Test before, we too haven’t played a pink-ball Test either. It’s going to be a massive occasion at the Eden Gardens. It will be a new experience for both teams. So we’re very excited,” Domingo said, according to PTI.
