Playing Day-Night Test in Australia Will Be A Different Challenge: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara will once again be the vital cog in India’s batting-unit especially in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series in Australia.

Two summers ago, Cheteshwar Pujara laid the cornerstone for an eventual triumphant series Down Under with a pristine hundred at the Adelaide Oval. But that ton came in a traditional Test in Adelaide. This time, the opening Test of the series at the Adelaide Oval will be a pink-ball affair.

Australia has never lost a Pink Ball Test and given the fact that their bowling attack-led by Mitchell Starc gets even more deadly under lights- especially in the twilight zone- Cheteshwar Pujara realizes very well that the challenge this time around will be completely different from what they countered in their debut day-night Test against Bangladesh at home last winter.

”It will be a different challenge playing with pink ball as pace and bounce also changes. We will be playing with pink kookaburra in Australia (against Bangladesh, it was Pink SG Test). It will be slightly different,” Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“The twilight period is more challenging”- Cheteshwar Pujara

Pointing out the fact that the twilight period will be the most challenging for the batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara reckoned that in order to succeed in such conditions, the entire team has to come together and understand the enormity of the challenge that lies in front of them.

”As a team and as individuals, one has to understand and accept and get used to it (pink ball and lights) as early possible. There will be a bit of difference with pink ball,” he added.

“The twilight period is more challenging than other periods but as you play more and practice more, you get used to it. It does take a little while,” Cheteshwar Pujara signed off.

Meanwhile, Team India will play a three-day day-night practice match at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Australia A before they square off against Tim Paine-led hosts at the Adelaide Oval in the first of the four Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests from December 17.

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