India vs England 2021: Team India Should Be Wary Of The Pink Ball When It Swings, Says Monty Panesar

Former England spinner, Monty Panesar opines that Team India won’t have any great deal of home advantage in the third Test match against England in Ahmedabad as it will be played with the pink ball in day-night conditions.

Monty Panesar asserts that the pink ball will help the pacers largely than spinners and that it will swing and reverse swing, which would trouble the Indian batsmen. As James Anderson showcased a masterclass spell of reverse swing bowling – cleaning the off-stump of Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane in an over – in the first Test in Chennai, Panesar ponders whether the host’s batsmen could remain calm or panic.

“The pink ball is going to swing and seam at some stage. It is not like the red ball. The pink ball moves in the air, it reverses. This pink ball neutralizes India’s home advantage. The question is: whether this Indian team can hold their nerve when the ball moves in the air or reverses and not panic?” Monty Panesar told Times of India.

Is it Adelaide all over again: Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar, who won the series in India in 2012, points out that not long ago Virat Kohli’s side was bundled out for 36 – India’s lowest ever Test innings total – in a day-night Test in Adelaide against Australia. The 38-year-old reckons those unfond memories could haunt India once again – Jofra Archer and James Anderson are all but confirmed to return to the England eleven after resting from the second Test.

“Quite recently, India were scarred by the pink ball in Adelaide. They were bowled out for 36 – the lowest ever Test score by an Indian team in the history of Indian Test cricket. They are definitely wary of this Test. It is a one-off Test now, a completely different ball game with the pink ball. If the ball starts swinging and seaming, the Indian team will think: is it Adelaide all over again?” the former off-spinner added.

India has played one pink-ball Test at home, against Bangladesh in November 2019 at the Eden Gardens. The hosts won the game comfortably – all the Bangladeshi wickets were taken by pacers.

The series, after two Test matches, stands levels at 1-1 as both the teams not only look to take a lead in the series in Ahmedabad but also – along with Australia – have an eye on the World Test Championship final.

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