India’s batsman Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the team will need to practice more before they play their next pink-ball Test. It is reported that India might play a pink-ball Test next year in Australia. Meanwhile, it is now known that it’s not easy to hit the ground running in Day-Night Test.
On the other hand, Pujara also believes that is not easy to bat under the lights with the pink ball and he is on the same page as Ajinkya Rahane. Pujara scored a fine knock of 55 runs and batted in the third session with aplomb. In fact, Pujara is known to score his runs at a low strike rate but he was able to get off the blocks in Eden Gardens.
“It is BCCI’s decision to make. But going forward, if we are going to play more pink ball games we will have to practice more under lights and start getting used to this,” Pujara said after the close of play on Day 2.
Pujara believes it is crucial to have more practice with the pink ball as they won’t get to practice between the overseas series.
“If we are playing away from home, you don’t have much time as you play only one of the four matches with pink ball. You don’t want to have a practice game with the pink ball. You would rather have it with the red ball. You never play a practice game in between the series so I don’t think it’s practical,” said Pujara.
Meanwhile, Indian pacers continue to breathe down the neck of the Bangladesh batters. Pujara added that as all the three Indian pacers bowl at an express pace, and hence it was not easy for the tourists.
“I thought light and pink ball had a role to play. As a batsman, it is not easy to pick short balls. The pace our fast bowlers have, it is not easy. Their batters haven’t even played any first class match with the pink ball so it’s not easy,” he said.
Pujara added that it is not easy to bat under the lights. The right-hander added that the pink ball was doing more under the lights and thus made the life of the batsmen more difficult.
“Batting under lights was difficult when I batted yesterday. Even when I saw on TV, the first session is easier to bat as there are no lights. When there are lights, the ball starts swinging a little more. So it is a bit more challenging. The kind of experience we have, most of the Tests we played are under sunlight. So when it comes to playing under lights it is challenging for the batsman,” Pujara added.
India needs another four wickets to seal the series 2-0 as Bangladesh is still in arrears by 89 runs.