India is set to play their fifth-ever Pink Ball Test and second in Australia when they face the hosts in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. While India has a perfect record of three wins from three Pink Ball Tests at home, their previous experience in Australia was far from pleasant. During the 2020-21 tour, they were bowled out for a humiliating 36 runs in the Adelaide Test, marking a dismal outing with the pink ball.
As the team prepares for this crucial Test, Indian players have been practising with the pink ball, with its distinctive thud echoing through the nets as they defend against it. A video shared by the BCCI captured the Indian pace unit’s feedback, with most of them experiencing the pink ball in Australia for the first time. The bowlers gave their thoughts on its challenges and unique characteristics.
ALSO READ: Kane Williamson Creates History: First New Zealand Batter To Reach 9,000 Test Runs
Prasidh Krishna commented on the ball’s physical differences, saying, “The pink ball is slightly bigger than the red one. The seam is dyed black, which makes it heavier and more pronounced. This gives the ball a lot more seam movement.” Mukesh Kumar, however, noted a challenge for bowlers, stating, “The seam is not very visible. Some batters rely on the shine of the ball, but with the pink ball, the shinier side isn’t easily visible.”
It’s 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 💪
Hear what our speedsters have to say about bowling with the pink ball ahead of the Adelaide test – by @RajalArora#TeamIndia | #AUSvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 30, 2024
Akash Deep, another pacer, shared his observations, saying, “The ball is skidding a lot, which makes it tough for the batters. There’s also a lot of bounce, and the ball remains fresh for much longer. Unlike the red ball, which tends to get old after five to six overs, the pink ball stays lively.”
ALSO READ: South African Cricketers Arrested In Match-Fixing Scandal: Full Details Unveiled
Yash Dayal, reflecting on his experience bowling in the nets, mentioned, “I bowled to Virat Bhaiya and Rohit Bhaiya, and I noticed the pink ball doesn’t swing much. The key is to maintain the seam position straight. When you pitch it in the right areas, it deviates on its own, which is a big advantage.”
As India looks to bounce back from their past struggles in Adelaide, the feedback from the bowlers highlights the new challenges that the pink ball brings.
