IND v BAN 2019: "Experience with pink ball will be very helpful", Pujara looking forward to historic D/N Test

Pujara batted outstandingly well when the pink ball was first tested in the Duleep Trophy 2016.

Cheteshwar Pujara | Getty

Having previously experienced how the pink ball behaves in a first-class cricket environment, Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara is confident of tackling its threat under lights during the historic first-ever D/N Test in India against Bangladesh, starting November 22. 

Pujara scored 453 runs with two hundreds, including an epic 256 not out, for India Blue when in 2016 the Duleep Trophy was played with the Kookaburra pink ball. 

He was also part of the practise session overseen by Rahul Dravid at the NCA on Sunday (November 10) with the pink ball. 

Read Also: Eden Gardens to witness more than 50,000 spectators on first three days of D/N Test

"I don't think there will be a major difference when you start playing with the pink ball," Pujara told IANS. "Since I haven't played (against the SG pink ball) I am not sure, but my assumption is that even the SG pink ball will be very similar to the red ball. I feel in India the quality of SG balls have improved."

"Looking at the recent series we played against South Africa, the guys were happy with the way the ball maintained shape and even the quality of the ball."

"So we are expecting the same thing even with the pink ball. When it comes to pink ball, it will be little different from the red ball but I don't see a massive difference," he added. 

"When I played, it was 2016/17 which is a long time ago. So that can't be considered as an advantage. But yes, that experience will be very helpful for sure, without any doubt. When you have played with pink ball, you know what to expect at what time and what might be on offer. So that experience does help."

However, dealing with the pink ball in broad daylight is one thing and overcoming its scare in that twilight period when the natural brightness goes off and artificial light towers begin to take over is quite another. 

In the 11 D/N Tests played across the world so far, it is this phase that the batsmen have found tougher. 

"Sometimes it is challenging in twilight playing with the pink ball," Pujara also mentioned. "You need little more practice and once you keep playing with the pink ball at that time (twilight), you start getting used to it."

"So it's just about doing few more practice sessions before we play the match. I will try and practice with the pink ball whenever there is an opportunity."

(Inputs from IANS)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 11 Nov, 2019

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