Day-Night Test soon, but not now
MUMBAI: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has set his eyes on ensuring India play a day-night Test as soon as possible but not in the coming tour of Bangladesh. Ganguly and India captain Virat Kohli met at the BCCI house here Thursday afternoon for the selection of the T20 squad for the series against Bangladesh. According to sources, hosting a day-night Test was also on the agenda of the meeting. “No decision on day night Tests yet,” Ganguly told the media later.
Kohli arrived at the BCCI office at 1.30 pm to attend the selection committee meeting and also meet Ganguly.
Later, Rohit Sharma also joined the meeting. Sources close to the president said while Ganguly is very keen on making the day-night Test happen, the Bangladesh series might be too early since the decision has to be cleared by the Apex Council. Another factor quoted was the quality of pink balls in India that may not last the rigours of a Test match.
Currently, India are the only top Test nation to have not played the day-night version of the game despite the International Cricket Council’s dogged effort to get them on board. Bangladesh too have not played a Test under lights.
Cricket Australia had proposed India play the Adelaide Test under lights during the last tour of Australia in 2018 but the BCCI turned down the offer. Current playing conditions stipulated by the ICC say the home nation can host a day-night Test only when the visiting board agrees to it.
Ganguly has always been forthcoming about the need for India to play a day-night Test sooner or later. “Day-night Test is the way forward. Every country has to play day-night Test— that’s a long-term future for Test cricket. They (India) are a good side, they will win daynight Test matches also,” Ganguly was quoted as saying recently. “There is no difference in day-night Test matches and day Tests. It’s just a different ball. They are such class players, they can win,” Ganguly had said.