India vs Bangladesh 2019: Virat Kohli believes fielding with pink ball will be the biggest challenge for players
Indian captain Virat Kohli has admitted that fielding will be the biggest challenge for the players in the pink ball Test between India and Bangladesh to be played from Friday. Kohli was speaking to the media after a practice session with the pink ball.
The Indian skipper stated that the players had quite a different experience with the new ball, especially while fielding.
“The fielding session with the pink ball was biggest challenge. People will be surprised how difficult fielding can be with the pink ball. The ball definitely felt heavier. I’m sure there won’t be any difference in weight but somehow it felt heavier. While taking slip catches the ball really hit the hands hard. Even while throwing from the boundary, the fielders felt they needed to put extra effort,” Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, revealed.
Despite a few apprehensions around, the 31-year-old added that he is excited to be part of history, and is very much looking forward to the big occasion.
“This pink ball Test match is a challenge for us. It is very exciting for us as the energy will be very high. It is a landmark occasion,” Kohli went on to state.
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Kohli, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era, also compared the thrill around the Day-Night Test to the fervor that the India vs Pakistan 2016 World T20 match generated at Kolkata.
“It’s really exciting for all of us. The last time we experienced this kind of an atmosphere was before an India Pakistan T20 World Cup game. Then also a lot of former cricketers came, they were felicitated. It will be same,” Kohli asserted.
The India-Bangladesh Test at Kolkata will be the 12th day-night encounter in the history of Test cricket. The match will be played from 1 pm to 8 pm to counter the dew factor.
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had earlier informed the media that tickets for the first four days of the Test have been sold out. The historic match will also see the SG pink ball being introduced in Test matches in India.