IND vs BAN | Sports and entertainment need constant innovation in these modern times, opines Gautam Gambhir
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has said that even being a purist, he believes that the pink ball is a much-needed twist to the longest format of the game. Gambhir admitted that cricket after office hours has always worked as he hoped D/N Test works out as well as the shorter formats have.
We are only hours away from one of the most historic moments in the history of Indian cricket as the Eden Gardens stands prepared to host the first-ever Day-night in the nation as well as that for the national Test side. India will take on neighbours Bangladesh in their maiden underlights affair which is scheduled to kick off at 1 pm tomorrow (November 22).
Former destructive India opener Gautam Gambhir went on to compare the momentous occasion with the historic 1992 World Cup Down Under which featured coloured jerseys and white for the first time in the sport’s history. Gambhir also hoped for a history-changing impact from the pink ball on the Indian cricketing culture. "Channel 9 broadcast, seagulls, Richie Benaud and Co behind the mike, Aussie grounds and cricketers in coloured clothing chasing white ball...all this combined to create quite a spectacle," Gambhir mentioned in his column for The Times of India.
"I hope pink cricket ball does to Indian cricket what white did," he added.
The Test match will be the final one of the two-match series which India leads by 1-0 after a sumptuous win by an innings and 130 runs in Indore. Gambhir admitted that it's a great initiative as cricket after office hours always works.
"For starters, it is a fantastic marketing initiative. Fans, players, administrators and media are all discussing pink cricket ball. Cricket after office-hours has always worked and I see no reason why Test matches should not," the left-handed former batsman wrote.
The Delhi-lad pointed out that he being a purist by heart wouldn’t have supported the move but also acknowledged its the need of the hour to revamp the longest format of the game.
"I am a purist and wouldn’t have embraced this idea with ease. But then, the pace and immediacy of T20s has refreshed the temperament of the viewing public.
"Even as a part of a broadcasting team, I keep thinking what more can I give? What more can I add? In the times of instant cashback, instant food, sports and entertainment need constant innovation. Hence, this change needs to be embraced," he added.
The cricketer-turned politician also pointed out the rise of Bangladesh's status as a cricketing nation as they feature in the maiden day-night Test of the No.1 Test side in the World which turned down Cricket Australia's request to play one a couple of years back.
"Bangladesh should be proud of the fact that they will be a part of a historical moment. I am not sure if their fortunes will improve, but their standing in world cricket will surely improve. Normally such momentous occasions involve teams like Australia, England, etc.; but Bangladesh getting to play the first day-night Test match in India means that they have earned respect in world cricket," Gambhir, the T20 and ODI World Cup winner, concluded.
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