Visibility can be a bit of a problem with pink balls - Cheteshwar Pujara

Team India recently played its first-ever pink-ball Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens. The home defeated Tigers with sheer dominance in the historic game and sealed the Test series by 2-0. However, one thing that hogged the spotlight was the colour of the ball. After the match, there were debates regarding the visibility problems that the players face and, now Cheteshwar Pujara has come up with his views over it.

It was the first occasion for both the sides to play with a pink ball under the lights in the longer format. It was BCCI’s decision to use SG pink balls during the historic game. However, so far the Kookaburra ball is used in the majority  Day-Night Test matches played at the international level.

Cheteshwar Pujara opines on Pink ball games

Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian number three batter in Tests said that there is no problem while sighting red balls in the longer format. But, when a player faces a pink colour under the lights during the second or third session it raises some concern. He also added it is a problem for any player, who is sitting in the dressing room and suddenly has to go out to bat in the twilight.

“When it comes to red ball, visibility isn’t an issue at all during the day. But with the pink ball under lights, when you walk in to bat during the second or the third session, visibility can be a bit of a problem as you are sitting in the dressing room and suddenly you are walking in under lights,” Cheteshwar Pujara said as quoted by Indian Express.

The 31-year-old was one of the players, who batted during the twilight period and considered it a testing period. While batting, he looked quite uncomfortable in the early phase of his innings after assessing ball behaviour. However, later on, he smashed a fifty in the same innings.

Indian middle-order batsman also recited that one Test in a year is fine. It will also attract a massive crowd and will offer a great atmosphere to the players involved in that game. But, on a regular basis, the games are expected to be played with the red ball only.

“One-off Test match in a year is fine. If you want the crowd to come in and create an atmosphere. But not on a regular basis I would say. I am sure Test cricket will be mainly played with the red ball. Once in a while, you might play with a pink ball but the majority of the games will be played with the red ball.” he added.

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