COA Chief Amazed With BCCI's Plan To Organize Pink Ball Test

Vinod Rai, the Head of Committee of Administrators (COA), has questioned Amitabh Chaudhary’s move to float the idea of India playing a pink-ball Test later this year.

Chaudhary had contacted Ravi Shastri, head coach of India, and then initiated the move to stage a pink ball Test.

However, COA chief is not amused by it as he wasn’t in known of things what happened regarding the matter.

He has written a letter to Chaudhary. Here are the excerpts of the letter, as per TOI –

“I’m a bit amazed at the way we seem to be taking policy decisions. Please confirm firstly, that day/night Tests have never been played before. Secondly, you seem to have discussed with all the stakeholders, who in your scheme of things constitute four persons sitting in the (BCCI) cricket centre— A very misplaced viewpoint.

“Thirdly, even if it be cricket of which all of you certainly have greater knowledge than me, (I’m excluding Diana (Edulji, former India women’s team skipper), who has greater knowledge than all of you ! I represent the viewing population. They are your greatest stakeholders. Don’t you think you need to factor them in? This issue is placed on hold. It does not go out of cricket centre.”

1) We work out a whole process with venue thrown in — exact timings, including security arrangements over five days in the same venue and the cost of the same to BCCI and the state association. 2. We then consult the guest team. We need to factor in their viewpoints. 3. Ravi may have been consulted but I would like to consult the players whose body clock over five consecutive days will have to get accustomed to a new timing. 4. Also factor in the administrative set up who will be doing the regimen for five days — late nights and all.”

Rai seems to be unamused with the officials who did not consult him before looking forward to staging a pink ball Test.

COA came into existence last year by after an order of Supreme Court of India in January.

The committee comprised of a total of four members viz Vinod Rai, Diana Edulji, Ramachandra Guha and Vikram Limaye.

Guha and Limaye have already quit their post in the committee, and only Rai and Edulji are the remaining members.

The COA is to be consulted before a decision is taken in BCCI, as per the powers granted the court to COA.

However, whether to play a pink ball Test or not, the final decision will more or less depend on the views of the players, especially captain Virat Kohli.

Many of the international players have already played with the pink ball in Duleep Trophy, so the chances of India trying this experience are more.

Also, Windies is also not a heavyweight team and given the home advantage; the Indian cricket team might want to experiment with the pink ball during that series only.

India A has also played two pink ball unofficial Test matches, one in 2016 against Australia A and one against New Zealand A in 2017.

Though, captain Kohi is yet to play any competitive game with the pink ball.

The final picture will be clear when BCCI will come out with the final schedule.

In 2016 too, there were bright chances of India making the pink ball debut, but that did not happen.

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