Kohli took three seconds to agree to Day-Night Test: Ganguly
Last month, India took a historic decision to play their first-ever Day-Night Test. The same would be held against Bangladesh, at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, from November 22. While the excitement around the pink-ball Test is at its peak, the newly-elected BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly revealed that convincing Indian skipper Virat Kohli to play this match took him only three seconds.
Ganguly knew playing D/N Tests is important
Ganguly said while he was unsure why India had denied playing a D/N Test in Adelaide, during his meeting with Kohli, his opening statement was that they needed to play such matches. "I met him for an hour and the first question was we need to have D/N Tests and the answer in three seconds was let's go ahead and do that," said Ganguly.
Found him [Kohli] more than willing to play D/N Tests
"I really don't know what happened in the past and what was the reason, but I found him absolutely acceptable to play D/N Tests. He realizes and thinks that empty stands in Tests are not the right way forward," Ganguly further added, reports PTI.
Ganguly believes proper management will make Tests popular like T20Is
Ganguly even said that the proper management of Test cricket would help regain its popularity and make it enjoyable like T20Is. Further, making it a regular affair could help the format. "It is a start for India. I think with this concept Test cricket will be back on its feet," he opined.
Ganguly feels that adaptability is the solution
"Now, people's lives have changed, you cannot leave offices so that's when you have to make adaptability. That's important. Most number of times, change is good. A lot of time, we hold on to things thinking what you believe is right," Ganguly continued.
Ganguly references his 100th Test and Ashes
Ganguly also recalled that during his 100th Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he was startled to see the crowd. "You really got fortunate to get in that position in your Test career. There were close to 70,000 people in the stands in a Test match on day one. You should see the Ashes also," he concluded.
Ganguly has always backed Day-Night Tests
Meanwhile, Ganguly has, over the years, expressed his backing for the D/N Tests, as he believes it is the way forward for the format. "They [India] are a good side, they will win Day-Night Test matches also. There is no difference in Day-Night Test matches and day Tests. It's just a different ball. They are such class players, they can win," he had said.
Bangladesh to tour India from November 3
As of now, Bangladesh are all set to tour India for a three-match T20I series, starting November 3 to be played in Delhi, followed by Rajkot (November 7) and Nagpur (November 10). The two-Test series starts November 14 in Indore and concludes with the second from November 22. The Tests would also be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2019-21.
