Report: Team India Cricketers Express Their Reservations Against Pink SG Ball

The third Test match between India and England proved to be the shortest Test since World War II and the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has come up under raging criticism from all corners.

Spinners once again ruled the roost in the recently-concluded two-day Test with 28 out of 30 wickets falling to the tweakers, including Joe Root, who claimed 5-8 in a mere 38 balls on the second afternoon.

However, what has left everyone dumbfounded that a majority of the wickets fell to deliveries that did not turn and skidded off the surface, thus resulting in plenty of LBW and bowled dismissals.

And, while the pitch continues to get criticized, the Indian players have made their reservations against the pink ball clear to the BCCI, so much so, they are even mulling to say no to day-night Tests.

One of the reasons touted behind the ball skidding sharply and at pace off the surface is the extra lacquer on the pink ball. The players have also expressed their concerns regarding the visibility of pink ball under lights.

A member of the team-management explained in detail the issues cited by players regarding the pink ball.

“The problem when facing the pink ball is that it skids much faster compared to the red ball. Muscle memory makes batsmen believe that the ball will come at a particular speed after pitching, like they are used to when playing with the red ball. But the pink ball comes much faster. This is a major issue. Also, our players are not keen to play Day-Night Tests because the pink ball has too many variables, including difficulty in sighting the ball,”

It remains to be seen what course of action the BCCI takes now, given the fact that President Sourav Ganguly has always been a staunch believer that day-night Tests are necessary for the longest format of the game to survive.

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