Visibility can be a problem with pink ball, reveals Cheteshwar Pujara

Days after the success of the crowd turnout at the Eden Gardens, players have started expressing their doubts over the future of the pink ball in India. India’s mainstay batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has criticised the pink ball, in terms of its visibility in the day-night Test match. 

“You have to concentrate a little extra and spend little bit more time at the crease to get used to it. When it comes to red ball, visibility isn’t an issue at all during the day. But with 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,” said Pujara after India’s Test series victory over Bangladesh. 

Further, the Indian batsman addressed how the ball swung a lot later in the day as compared to early in the innings. Pujara also addressed how it would be fine to have One Test a year, where the pink ball is a feature, and not more. 

“One-off Test match in a year is fine. If you want 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,” added Pujara. 

Pujara also added that the pink ball travels faster than white and red ball, partially because of the additional level of lacquer added to it and partially because of playing under lights. 

"To bat in twilight period with pink ball, it’s little difficult. Most important thing was to have as many net session as possible under lights and we tried doing it. Couple of sessions at NCA before first Test and then one net session in Kolkata." concluded Pujara.