R Ashwin coming to terms with pink ball: Details here
Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin said he is still coming to terms with the pink ball ahead of the Day-Night Test between India and Bangladesh. The Test match will start on November 22nd at the Eden Gardens. Ashwin is one of those Indian players, who hasn't played with pink ball till date. Here's what Ashwin said regarding the same.
'Obviously, it's a challenge to play with the pink ball'
Ashwin said it will be a challenge to play with the pink ball. "Obviously, it's a challenge to play with the pink ball. The ball has a lot more lacquer. Personally I think it's the right direction we have taken, and hopefully, the Test match will be a historic moment and it will be the start of many more to come," he said.
'Sometimes I don't understand if it is orange or pink'
Ashwin said he is still getting adjusted to the color, which, at times, looks more orange than pink. "Sometimes I don't understand if it is orange or pink, still coming to terms with that (laughs). I haven't even bowled a single delivery with the pink ball as I couldn't play the Duleep Trophy two years ago," added the veteran spinner.
Kohli had explained the difference after facing the pink ball
Ahead of the ongoing first Test in Indore, Indian skipper Virat Kohli practiced with the pink ball for the first time and explained the difference. "I felt it [pink ball] swings a lot more as compared to the red ball because there's extra lacquer on the ball which doesn't go away too fast. And the seam holds upright quite a bit," Kohli had said.
Only a handful of Indian cricketers have played D/N Tests
For Team India, majority of the cricketers will be playing with the pink ball for the first time in their careers. However, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav have experience of playing with the Kookaburra pink ball in Duleep Trophy. It remains to be seen how the SG pink balls shape up at the Eden Gardens.
This is what Pujara and Rahane said regarding D/N Test
Earlier, Pujara said that visibility will be an issue in twilight and under lights. "Visibility is not an issue during the day, it will be an issue in twilight and under lights, the twilight could be a little difficult. Those sessions will be crucial." Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said training ahead of the match will be crucial to get familiar with the situation.
