India is a nation that loves cricket. Nothing can be more true than this. So what is expected is that most of the innovations that have happened in cricket should have started in this nation. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The biggest of all the changes that have occurred in the game centuries after its inception, the pink ball has been embraced by many nations except India, which is still reluctant to drop the iconic cherry-red test ball. However, this is not the only thing BCCI has been known to be reluctant to. Many new aspects of international cricket, from the Twenty20s decision review system, to the adoption of trial cricket under the lights, still await a wholehearted welcome from the Indian cricket control board. This is quite unlikely for a country where cricket is so important that the users of Fantasy cricket game applications today range from a whopping 7-8 million and growing. More than the gross population of many countries. So why is this Pink Match Ball still waiting for a clear green light from the board to be able to enter the Indian cricket arena?
The problem lies, as a whole, in India’s reluctance to adopt the Day / Night test cricket. But if acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Chaudhary is to be believed, it could only be a matter of time before India plays the pink ball. Mr. Chaudhury had stated that he raised the issue with officials and that a decision would be made. However, there are reports that also suggest that India will not play a day-night event because it is not part of the World Trial Championship. Either way, India playing a test match under lights at home seems like a matter that would take time. India and Bangladesh are the only two teams that have yet to play a test match under the lights. Australia have played a day-night Test as part of their home season for the past three years in Adelaide, against New Zealand, South Africa and England, and would definitely want to play one against India. It is understandable that India does not want her first experience with the pink ball to be in the difficult conditions in Adelaide and will want to play one at home sooner. Especially when players carry the responsibilities of their fans’ hopes and dreams. Having a good stat and winning is important, especially in an age like this where fans are also directly involved in the game when they play fantasy cricket online through their own device.
With day / night test matches out of the question, the question that worries cricket fans the most is why the nation is so reluctant to embrace the Pink Ball. The tone factor definitely plays in here. People are concerned about how the pink ball will behave in Indian conditions, with factors such as flatter pitches, dew factor, and dependence on spinners. The Duleep Trophy in 2016-’17 and then in 2017-’18 were played under lights on an experimental basis and the pink ball did not get the vote of confidence from the majority of the players. Many Indian cricketers expressed that the pink ball offers very little help to closers and particularly becomes difficult to play during the spray factor. The other problems with the ball, made by Kookaburra in its Melbourne factory, are slower wear that reduces swing, visibility of the black stitching, and is conducive to spinners. The twist factor is something that can be worked on on a turning court, but might not be effective on flatter ones, according to a hitter who played the Duleep Trophy. Shannon Gill, the Chief of Communications for Kookburra responded to this concern that structural changes between the pink and red ball are made to ensure visibility under the lights. Unfortunately, it is structural changes that prevent the ball from being adopted by Indian cricketers. The pink ball is also susceptible to wear and tear, which affects its visibility once the ball becomes covered in dirt and dust. However, Gill is optimistic about the progress the pink ball is making and said players are skeptical of adopting this new ball because they are generally used to playing with a ball of a particular color and pattern. It’s just an adjustment phase, he said, and before long, we can get the pink balls hitting our field.