International Cricket Council’s attempt to make day-night test popular has received a major boost as cricket powerhouse India is all set to host its first day-night encounter.
Kolkata’s iconic stadium Eden Gardens will host India’s first-ever pink ball cricket match — the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Super League final from June 17 to 20. The game will be played under lights with a pink Kookaburra ball and will be telecast by Star Sports live across India.
Former Indian captain and the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly hoped the “experiment” would help India host a day-night Test “in the near future”.
“Pink-ball cricket indeed is the way forward,” he told the Indian Express.
“Test cricket’s popularity has been steadily declining and we must do something to arrest the slide. The pink-ball Test in Australia last year received an overwhelmingly positive response and we must embrace the change. The Super League final under lights is an experiment with an eye to hosting day-night Tests in the near future. I think it would be a very good experience.”
“We (CAB) are not claiming any TV rights (from the broadcaster) for the event. Star Sports will bear the whole expense of the final. They will do their promos on TV. Pink Kookaburras will be used and we have already procured the shipment,” he added.
Though cricket in India is usually played with the SG ball, the Super League final will be played with a pink Kookaburra, which requires a specific set of conditions to last.
There had been numerous complaints that it deteriorated quickly and became difficult to sight, from both batsmen and fielders, when it was tested in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s first-class tournament.
Recently some cricketers have raised their concerns over the pink balls, most notably South African skipper AB de Villiers.
De Villiers raised doubts about the durability of the pink ball used in the format and said that alterations to the pitch, to reduce wear and tear on the ball, were also a significant factor.
However, The CAB has claimed that it is doing the necessary groundwork to ensure a successful hosting of the match.
“Certain conditions are required for the pink ball to hold up for a substantial period. We have spoken to Kookaburra’s subcontinent head and will follow the advice,” secretary Abhishek Dalmiya said.
Sourav Ganguly, who is also the chairman of BCCI’s technical committee, has also recommended the Duleep Trophy, be played with pink balls to prepare the players for the latest innovation in cricket.