Ahead of the second Test against Australia, scheduled to be played with a pink ball at the Adelaide Oval starting December 6, India’s fast bowlers have opened up about their experiences with the pink ball, a key element in day-night Test matches. With the added challenge of the pink ball, which behaves differently from the traditional red ball, the Indian pacers are preparing for what promises to be a tough contest. India’s preparation includes a practice game against the Australia Prime Minister's XI at the Manuka Oval, although Day 1 of the two-day match was delayed due to rain in Canberra. This rain delay was a slight setback, but the Indian team is determined to make up for the lost time as they focus on fine-tuning their strategies ahead of the important Test series.
In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their official social media channels, key Indian pacers discussed their experiences and insights into bowling with the pink ball. Prasidh Krishna, known for his pace and ability to generate movement off the seam, shared his thoughts on the unique characteristics of the pink ball. According to Krishna, the pink ball is slightly larger than the traditional red ball and has a more tightly wound seam. This construction makes the ball heavier and able to generate more movement, especially when the lights come on during the evening sessions of day-night Test matches. Krishna explained that, unlike the red ball, which is known for its ability to reverse swing, the pink ball offers more conventional seam movement, which can be advantageous for fast bowlers. “For me, it is going to do more than the red ball, in terms of shine and also when the lights come on,” Krishna noted. He also pointed out that the pink ball reduces the effectiveness of reverse swing, which is a crucial weapon for Indian fast bowlers in traditional day Tests.
India has had a relatively successful track record with the pink ball, having played four pink-ball Tests so far, and winning three of them. However, their only defeat came in 2020 when they were shockingly bundled out for just 36 runs in Adelaide, marking their lowest-ever total in Test cricket. This defeat remains a painful memory for the Indian team, but the pacers are focusing on learning from the past and preparing thoroughly for the upcoming challenge. Despite the setback in 2020, the Indian fast bowlers are eager to show their growth and resilience, and they are fully aware that the Adelaide Oval presents a formidable challenge in pink-ball cricket.
Akash Deep, another fast bowler in the Indian squad, shared his perspective on how challenging the pink ball can be for batters. He emphasized that the bounce generated by the pink ball makes batting more difficult. "It's tough for the batters, there is a lot of bounce from the pink ball," Deep said, acknowledging the difficulty faced by the batting side when dealing with the pink ball's unique bounce and movement. The combination of this bounce and the conditions of the Adelaide pitch will test the batsmen's technique and adaptability.
Yash Dayal, a rising star in Indian pace bowling, also spoke about his experiences in practice, particularly while bowling to two of India’s most experienced batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Dayal explained that while the pink ball doesn't swing as much as the red ball, maintaining the right seam position becomes critical to generate movement. “I have bowled to Virat and Rohit bhai, and I feel that the ball is not swinging a lot, the seam position has to be straight," Dayal noted. He further emphasized that keeping the line and length intact allows the ball to do its work naturally. This consistency in line and length is a crucial element in bowling effectively with the pink ball, and Dayal is keen to continue honing his skills to tackle Australia’s experienced batting line-up.
Australia, on the other hand, has an impeccable record in pink-ball Tests at the Adelaide Oval, where they have remained unbeaten so far. The combination of the pink ball's behavior and the conditions in Adelaide make this ground a challenging venue for visiting teams. The pink ball tends to move more in the evening when the lights are on, and this movement can catch out even the best of batters. The Aussies are known to exploit these conditions to their advantage, and India will need to be at their best to overcome this challenge. The fast bowlers will have to adjust to the nuances of the Adelaide pitch, which can offer bounce and seam movement, especially when the pink ball is in play.
For the Indian pacers, the key to success will lie in their ability to read the conditions quickly, maintain consistency in their line and length, and adapt to the pink ball's behavior. With the upcoming series being a critical one, the Indian fast bowlers are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation, hoping to improve upon their past performances with the pink ball and make a strong statement in the second Test.
The unique challenges posed by the pink ball will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the Test match, and both India and Australia are fully aware of the importance of mastering its nuances. The Indian pacers, particularly Krishna, Deep, and Dayal, are focused on learning from their practice sessions and are confident that they can rise to the occasion. The Adelaide Test will not only test their skills with the pink ball but also their mental toughness and ability to adapt to fast-paced, high-pressure Test cricket conditions. With the match drawing closer, the anticipation is building, and the pacers are ready to give their best to help India achieve success on one of the most challenging venues in world cricket.
