Former Indian captain and the newly-elected BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly is a huge supporter of day-night Test cricket. He is desperate to organise a day-night pink-ball Test match during the upcoming Bangladesh tour of India. While Eden Gardens (Kolkata) can be that special venue to organise the day-night Test, Ganguly has recently updated about the possibility of this Test.
Since 2015 December, we have already experienced 11 day-night Test matches. Two more day-night Tests are coming on before the end of this year. Apart from the UAE (Dubai), Australia, England, West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa have already organised the pink-ball Test. However, Australia is the only country at present, who are trying to organise this special Test every year.
Before the newly-elected BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI members were not supporting the day-night Test. That’s why India have neither hosted nor played this pink-ball Test match yet.
But the present BCCI President wants to host a day-night pink-ball Test match during the forthcoming Bangladesh tour of India. After the three-match T20I series, India-Bangladesh will play the two-match Test series at Holkar Stadium, Indore (14-18 November 2019) and Eden Gardens, Kolkata (22-26 November 2019).
After the Indian captain Virat Kohli has agreed to play the day-night pink-ball Test match, Ganguly is busy to organise it during the forthcoming Kolkata Test.
I’m sure it will be a day-night match – Sourav Ganguly
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has recently spoken about this plan to Nazmul Hassan, the President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Without their proper acceptance, this initiative can’t be possible. Ganguly has recently clarified that the BCB will soon give their view after talking with the players. The BCCI President is hopeful about this day-night Test.
Ganguly told PTI, “I spoke to the BCB president (Nazmul Hassan). They are agreeable, they wanted to speak to the players. I’m sure it will be a day-night match. They will also officially announce it soon. Hopefully, by 10-10:30 pm tonight, we will get a confirmation.”
Meanwhile, the BCB is busy to take the views of the national players about the day-night pink-ball Test match. The board also feels that the players need the proper preparation ahead of this special Test.
BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury claimed, “At first we have to take the consent of the players and members of the team managements about it. It is totally a technical matter (playing day-night Test from skill perspective) and we have to consider that there is preparation required to play a Test with a pink ball.”