After reports emerged yesterday that one of the two Tests between India and Bangladesh could be day-night and played with the pink ball, the new BCCI president said Sourav Ganguly there has been “no decision” about it after meeting with Indian cricket team’s captain Virat Kohli.
Ganguly is known as an ardent supporter of the day-night format and it was believed that he could ask Kohli to consider playing one of the Tests against Bangladesh with the pink ball.
However, after his meeting with Kohli, the former Indian captain was quoted as saying by Republicworld.com, “No decision on day-night Tests yet.” He also added that the quality of the SG-manufactured pink balls in India needed to be improved.
“Day-night Test is the way forward. Every country has to play day-night Test — that’s a long-term future for Test cricket. India are a good side, they will win day-night Test matches also. There is no difference in day-night Test matches and day Tests. It’s just a different ball. They are such class players, they can win,” the former Indian captain was quoted earlier.
For his wish to be turned into reality, the 47-year-old would need to convince the cricketers, take the team management’s consideration and get it cleared by the BCCI Apex Council.
“Let’s see. Before talking to the team management, this needs the approval of the BCCI members. But I always believe that’s the way forward in Test cricket. Games are being played before empty stands,” Ganguly had added.
The Indian team management has never been a great advocate of the day-night Test. Cricket Australia had proposed the Adelaide Test to be played under the lights when the Kohli-led side toured the country in 2018, but the Indian management had refused the idea.
Even during last year’s West Indies series, the then-BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had suggested the Rajkot Test to be day-night, but Committee of Administrators (CoA) had vetoed it after the players expressed their reluctance.