Visibility at twilight could be difficult, says Pujara ahead of Day/Night Test
India's top Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara expresses concern over "visibility at twilight" ahead of their Bangladesh encounter in the first Day/Night Test starting November 22 in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
India’s top Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara expresses concern over “visibility at twilight” ahead of their Bangladesh encounter in the first Day/Night Test starting November 22 in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
This will be the first time the pink ball will be used when India and Bangladesh venture into the unchartered territory which will not only be the first day/night affair for both sides but it will also mark the first official appearance of SG pink balls.
“I have played earlier with pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, that was good experience. Playing with pink ball at the domestic level could come in handy,” Pujara told ‘bcci.tv’.
Other than Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, and Kuldeep Yadav who have experienced playing with the Kookaburra pink ball in Duleep Trophy, a majority of players will be facing it for the first time in their careers.
Pujara added, “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. Most players have said that picking the wrist spinners’ wrong ‘un is a little difficult.”
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As far as acclimatisation is concerned, even Ajinkya Rahane will come in handy during the training sessions ahead of the match.
“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,” Pujara said.
Pujara, Rahane looking forward to the historic pink-ball Test
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
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2019
“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.
As for the visitors, the squad have played a single first-class match with the pink ball.
The Indian cricketers practised with the SG pink ball under lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday (November 10).
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.
(With inputs from agencies)