In order to get back the dwindling number of spectators for Test cricket matches, BCCI is all set to host its first-ever day/night (D/N) cricket Test match in the country.
The move follows in the footsteps of their Australian counterpart Cricket Australia, which hosted history’s first ever such Test match last year on November 27, 2015.
Black Caps paceman Dough Bracewell with Pink Ball Stuff.co.nz
Confirming the news, BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said on April 21 that the match would be played with the pink ball when New Zealand would be touring India later this year.
He then went on to add that they will also have a rehearsal D/N Test match at the domestic level, during this year’s Duleep Trophy.
File Photo of Piyush Chawla with Duleep Trophy CricInfo
Talking about the rehearsal match, Thakur said that its main objective would be to check how the pink kookaburra ball behaves under light, especially under sub-continental conditions.
It must be noted that Test matches in India are played with ‘SG Test’ balls and not ‘Pink Kookaburra’ – the ones that are going to be used especially for these matches.
In case the Kookaburra balls do not perform to expectations, SG will be making the pink balls to suit Indian ground conditions.