Team India will be playing its maiden day-night Test against Bangladesh at the historic Eden Gardens stadium from November 22 to 26. In order to get familiar with the condition, the team management requests the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) to organize for training under lights for Virat Kohli and the team.
Speaking to IANS, former MPCA secretary Milind Kanmadikar confirmed the same and said, “We got a request from the Indian team that they want to train under lights with an eye on the pink ball Test, so we are going to arrange for the same.”
Speaking to BCCI.tv, Test deputy skipper, Ajinkya Rahane spoke about the need to train well to adapt to the challenges that come with playing with the pink ball.
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Rahane said, “I am very excited personally. I don’t know how it will turn out but we will get an idea when we have a couple of practice sessions. Only then we will get an idea of how much the pink ball swings and how it works session wise. I think as a batsman lateral movement will be there and it will be best if you play late, that is my personal idea. Adapting shouldn’t be a problem.”
India’s Test No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara also had a chat with IANS that while he has the experience of playing against the pink ball in Duleep Trophy, a little practice will help ahead of the second Test.
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Pujara explained, “When I played, it was 2016/17 which is a long time ago. When you have played with pink ball, you know what to expect at what time and what might be on offer. Sometimes it is challenging in twilight playing with the pink ball. You need little more practice and once you keep playing with the pink ball at that time (twilight), you start getting used to it. So it’s just about doing a few more practice sessions before we play the match. I will try and practice with the pink ball whenever there is an opportunity.”
Clearly head coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Kohli are keeping no stone unturned to ensure the boys are fully prepared come the Eden Test.
