India will tour in Australia in this November to play 3 T20Is, 4 Tests and 3 ODIs. Cricket Australia (CA) has been desperately trying to make BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) agree for playing a day/night Test match during the four-match Test series. But, BCCI administrator Vinod Rai clarified that India will not play any day/night Test match in that tour as Indian cricket team is not ready yet.
The decision taken by India to not to be involved in the Day-Night Test has evoked responses from all corners of the cricketing fraternity. Ian Chappell, the former Australian batsman, and captain, who is known for his outspoken attitude did not spare a chance to comment on this issue.
Writing in a column for ESPNCricinfo, Ian Chappell wrote,”The BCCI’s decision was extremely disappointing. Adelaide has become the unofficial home of day-night Test cricket, and the legacy of three years of rip-roaring success under lights there was expected to be further enhanced by the presence of a strong Indian team.”
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“No matter what excuse the BCCI offers, it’s hard to accept that this decision was anything other than the board looking to increase India’s chances of winning their first Test series in Australia against a weakened opponent,” Chappell wrote.
Australia will be missing their Test captain Steve Smith and the opener David Warner as they will be in the middle of their one-year ban imposed on charges of ball tampering during Australia’s Test series in South Africa.
Chappell felt that India being the major nation in the cricket world, should take more responsibility and be open to experimentation.
“Nowhere can I find even a hint of it being in ‘the best interests of the game’. In an age where T20 leagues are flooding the market, Test cricket needs nurturing from the officials if it is to survive this influx.
“Day-night Test cricket in centres where it’s viable is a must if the long form is to have a future in a market that is becoming ever more competitive and where the officials are constantly looking for ways to compress the game,” Ian Chappell felt.
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He feels that the interest of the fans should be taken into account.
“Apart from the obvious advantage of the matches being played at a more appropriate time for fans to either attend or watch on television, Day-Night Tests also conjure up intriguing cricketing possibilities.
“Because of frequent dramatic changes in conditions, different strategies are likely to evolve for day-night Tests, particularly in relation to selection and batting orders. Day-night Tests also provide greater opportunities for bowlers and challenge a captain’s imagination – anything that achieves those two aims is good for cricket.”
