The BCCI is now busy finalizing the pink-ball for the second Test between Bangladesh and India. According to reports, the board has asked SG, the makers of the red balls used in first-class cricket in India, to provide 72 new balls for the Test match scheduled to be played at Eden Gardens from November 22.
The idea to maintain the balance of pink ball
According to a Times of India report, the team management has asked for balls that behave similar to how the red balls do in India. SG’s director Paras Anand confirmed the news saying, “We have taken feedback from the players. Our thought process is to make the pink ball as similar to red ball as possible.”
The problem for the pink ball is its colour. It already comes with bright colour and so retaining the shape of the ball is often a problem. “The red ball has a dark colour. That allows the players to shine the ball to help it swing all day. Pink ball already start with a bright colour. Balancing that is something that we are working on.”
Team India believing on pace batteries
The Indian team management is keeping faith on its incisive pace attack even on Indian pitches. Since the Eden pitch will in all likelihood wear more grass than usual and dew might have some impact in the evening, spinners won’t be expected to play the lead role. The balls will be delivered to the BCCI by next week.
Anand thinks that his company has come up with improved version of pink-ball after having a close eye on the same for more than two years. “Every brand has its strengths and weakness according to the conditions available in host countries. We have tried to balance out the amount lacquer and coating needed on the balls.”
Last year the team was not satisfied with the quality of red balls But Anand said, “We have made the balls harder and the Indian team gave a positive feedback. We have tried to replicate the hardness in the pink balls as well,” Anand claimed.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
