Pink ball vs Red ball: Virat Kohli explains the difference
Skipper Virat Kohli is looking forward to India and Bangladesh's maiden Day-Night Test, starting November 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India and Bangladesh are currently involved in the first Test being played in Indore. Kohli, who practiced with the pink ball for the first time on the eve of the first Test, explained the difference. Here's more.
Indian cricket team was seen training with the pink ball
The Indian cricket team was seen training with the pink ball under lights ahead of the Indore Test. For India, majority of the cricketers will be playing with the pink ball for the first time in their careers. The Test match at Eden will mark the first official appearance of SG pink balls. SG had delivered the first batch of the same last weekend.
Kohli on the major difference between red and pink balls
Kohli highlighted the major difference between the two cherries. "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."
You require extra concentration to pick the pink ball: Kohli
Kohli said one requires extra attention to pick the pink ball. "I hadn't played with the pink ball before," Kohli said. "I was given an opportunity to try and I wanted to, so that was my mindset behind playing. I think everyone else did it as well. You require extra concentration to pick the pink ball suddenly when you're playing with the red ball."
Reflexes crucial against the pink ball, says Kohli
Kohli said one has to work on the reflexes as well. "It (the alternating) was to work on the reflexes a little bit as well. Because when you play with the red ball in the net and you arrive at the pink ball, it gets very difficult to pick it up, which can be the case in the game as well," he said.
Kohli doesn't know how the old pink ball will behave
Kohli revealed he doesn't know how the old pink ball will behave. "I don't quite know how the old ball behaves with the dew and the lacquer going off. It will be interesting to see how much the old ball does. With the pink ball, with the pitch having enough, the life in it will be a very important factor," the captain said.
'It might be difficult to pick it early on'
"It sort of gives you the match scenario and how it might be difficult to pick it early on. To get into that zone was the reason behind it," said Kohli on the decision to practice with the pink ball.
