India had a horrific experience in their first Day-Night Test in Australia.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar believes that there is no need to have some pink-ball games in the Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy to get used to the pink balls since about 90 percent of Test cricket is played with the red balls across the world.
India had entered the first Day-Night match against Australia in Adelaide on the back of a solitary pink-ball Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last November last year.
However, Team India won their first Day-Night Test inside three days against Bangladesh at home but horribly failed in Australia, as they were bundled out for their all-time low Test total of 36 in the second innings and eventually lost the first Test by eight wickets against Australia in Adelaide.
Following the terrible show, some cricketer experts questioned the Indian cricket team's lack of preparation with the pink ball, but Tendulkar said the cricketers should practice with the pink ball for Day-Night Tests only as and when required, as only about 10 percent of Test cricket worldwide is played with the pink ball.
However, he stressed the need to find a balance between red and pink balls.
Tendulkar told IANS in an exclusive interview: “I feel 90 percent Test cricket is played with the red ball, so the solution is to practice more and play more matches with the pink ball as and when possible.”
On being asked would some pink ball games in Duleep Trophy or Ranji Trophy matches will help, the Master Blaster replied, “Basically, we have played just one Test match in this series with the pink ball. So, it is 25 percent that was played with the pink while 75 percent will be played with the red ball.”
He signed off by saying, “So, we have to find a balance between the two colored balls. As of now, around the world, possibly 90 percent, or even more, of Test cricket is played with the red ball. So, one would stick to the red ball right and when the changes are made then one can think differently.”
(With IANS Inputs)