"Fail to understand its existence" - Former India selector questions decision to play pink-ball Test during BGT 2024-25
Former India batter and ex-selector Jatin Paranjpe questioned the decision to play a pink-ball Test in Adelaide during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. According to Paranjpe, players need a lot of practice before playing a day-night Test, and added that he wasn't surprised by India's struggles.
Australia thumped India by 10 wickets in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide to square the five-match series 1-1. Batting first, India were bowled out for 180 as Mitchell Starc claimed 6-48. In the second innings, the visitors were held to 175 as Aussie skipper Pat Cummins starred with 5-57.
Speaking to Rediff.com, Paranjpe questioned the logic of India agreeing to play a pink-ball Test in Australia, particularly considering how important each match is in the race to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
"I am not a big fan of pink ball cricket and fail to understand its existence. So I am not in favor of India hosting day-night Tests. Now with the World Test Championship, every match becomes crucial because you want to score points off every match. So we need to take a strategic call whether do it or not," the former India batter said.
Asked if lack of match practice ahead of the Test series affected India, the 52-year-old replied that the pink ball made a big difference in Adelaide. He elaborated:
"I think the pink ball played a role, we don't play a lot with the pink ball. As a batter I can tell you that it's very tough to watch it out of the bowler's hands. You need a lot of practice and you need more than just one week's practice. You need to have played 5-6 matches before you play a pink ball Test match. I knew it would be tough for India in Adelaide."
While India failed to put up a 200-plus score in either innings of the Adelaide Test, Australia scored 337 in their first essay as Travis Head slammed 140 off 141 balls.
India have lost consecutive pink-ball Tests in Adelaide
India's 10-wicket defeat to Australia in Adelaide was their second consecutive loss in a pink-ball Test at the venue. They had gone down to the Aussies by eight wickets in December 2020 during their previous visit. India were all out for an embarrassing 36 in their second innings and Australia chased down a target of 90.
The visitors will look to bounce back strongly when they take on the Aussies in the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to December 18.