Will there be a Pink-ball Test in IND vs ENG Test series? It’s unlikely. The reason? It’s one-sided nature of the Day-Night Tests that have not wooed fans. At least, that’s what BCCI secretary Jay Shah believes. The India Cricket team will play five Tests at home in 2024 before the big Australia tour. But so far, there is no word on a potential Day-Night Test.
And considering how the last IND vs ENG Pink Ball Test ended, it’s unlikely that Ben Stokes & Co will be interested in playing a D/N Test any time soon in India. Those who are unaware, India won the match in five sessions in Ahmedabad with England collapsing against Axar Patel’s spin web.
“We will have to increase the amount of interest in the public for the pink ball Test. If you recall, the Test ended in 2-3 days. Everyone wants to watch a Test match lasting 4-5 days. Once they get more used to it we will do more pink ball Tests. Last time it was done in Australia, no one has done it since then. We were in talks with England, but we will do it gradually,” Jay Shah said.
Pink-Ball Test already discarded?
Pink ball, or day-night Tests were introduced to complement the longer format, to attract fans who could watch the match under lights instead of usual day games. It was a well thought out change in format when it was introduced in 2015. Australia and New Zealand played the first day-night test in November of 2015.
However, it has been a heavily one-sided affair so far. The hard lacquer on the ball favours seamers and hit the deck bowlers the most. In fact, one ball lasts more than a Dukes ball that is used in England.
The only positive aspect so far in Pink-ball or Day/Night Test is that, none of the matches have ended in draws. But it has come at a cost. It does not last all five days with no thrilling ends in a race against poor light.
Moreover, only England and Sri Lanka have managed to win away from home in day-night Tests, with home teams generally getting the victories.
India made their pink ball debut in 2019 at Eden Gardens, playing four day-night Tests till now. The Indian side have won three and lost one.
And as things stand, India are not scheduled to play a Day-Night Test soon. BCCI was in talks with the England cricket board but the Englishmen did not show much interest.
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