India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has given his support to the ICC's new regulation enabling the use of a pink ball under floodlights in red-ball matches interrupted by poor lighting, calling it a "proactive" and "positive" step that might prevent teams from being denied critical results.
To save time lost due to poor lighting, the ICC has approved a trial in which teams can switch from the customary red ball to a pink ball and continue playing under floodlights. However, the umpires cannot impose the alteration.
Before the play begins, both teams must agree on the changeover. If bad natural light disrupts play and the venue has appropriate floodlights, the pink ball can be used to ensure that overs are not lost. In a time when every World Test Championship point can be crucial, the trial seeks to decrease annoying stoppages and raise the likelihood that Test matches will occur.
According to Gambhir, the administrators of the game must take all reasonable steps to guarantee that matches are resolved, particularly when the stakes are high.
"I love that. In fact, I've always believed that if there's an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity," Gambhir said at the pre-match presser in New Chandigarh.
He pointed to the WTC and the possibility of teams missing out on qualification because of weather and other factors.
"Imagine if you're playing the last Test match before the World Test Championship final and you have the chance to win that Test match and qualify. And if, because of bad light, it's not happening, I'm all for it. How unfair could that be?” Gambhir added.
He also agreed that players would find it difficult to switch from a red ball to a pink ball during a Test, but he believed the greater goal of maintaining outcomes outweighed the hurdles.
"I know it could be a little unfair and difficult for the players playing the Test match. But imagine working hard for two years and the last Test match before the World Test Championship final. If you don't play five days because of bad luck, how unfair could that be? So, I think it's a proactive move. It's a positive move, and hopefully the teams will start taking it in a positive way," he added.
Speaking further, Gambhir rubbished the notion that one individual or a handful of players could revive Test cricket. He insisted that every generation of cricketers has attached immense value to the format.
"I don't give it. Everyone gives it. Test cricket cannot survive or revive because of an individual. Everyone in the dressing room gives it importance. All the players who have played before me and who will play after me—everyone wants to do well in Test cricket.
There are a lot of young players in the dressing room, and they should value every Test match. Very few people get the opportunity to play Test cricket, and it is a great honor to represent India in this format," Gambhir stated.
(ANI inputs)
