Pink ball challenge: You have to play slightly late and close to your body, says Ajinkya Rahane

Top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara says ‘visibility at twilight’ could be an issue.

November 12, 2019 04:45 pm | Updated November 28, 2021 11:13 am IST - Indore

Indian cricket players Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara and others during the net practice session at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday, Novemerber 12, 2019.

Indian cricket players Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara and others during the net practice session at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday, Novemerber 12, 2019.

The pink ball is going to be a very “different ball game”, India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said on Tuesday, saying its extra lateral movement compared to the red ball will force batsmen to play late and closer to their bodies.

Rahane, along with Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja, had a couple of practice sessions with the pink ball under the eyes of National Cricket Academy (NCA) Director Rahul Dravid in Bengaluru building up to the historic Day/Night Test against Bangladesh starting November 22.

“We had two good practice sessions, actually four but two with pink ball - one during the day and one under lights. It was actually exciting,” Rahane said ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday.

“For me, it was the first time I played with the pink ball and definitely it’s a different ball game as compared to the red ball. Our focus was to look into the swing and seam movement and also play close to our body,” Virat Kohli’s deputy observed.

 

Rahane’s assessment after his initial sessions was that the batsmen will have to tweak their technique slightly.

“What we found out after the practice session was that the (new) pink ball does a lot more than the red ball. You have to play slightly late and close to your body. We had a word with Rahul bhai as he was also there.”

During the couple of Duleep Trophy seasons with the pink ball, there were complaints about spinners going out of the equation.

“I think they played with the Kookaburra ball in Duleep trophy, that’s a different thing. With the SG ball, I am not so sure. We played against spinners in Bangalore and they were getting good revs (revolutions) on the ball. Yes, the shine is completely different to the red ball but it’s very hard to compared with SG ball and the Kookaburra ball,” he explained.

Rahane conceded that he is starting afresh with no reference point.

“I’ve never played with the pink ball. And what I’ve heard from other people is that the Kookaburra ball is actually really easy for the batsmen. But what we saw in Bangalore is that the SG ball was doing a bit for the fast bowlers.

 

“For spinners, it is difficult but it is very hard for me to say right now about Kookaburra and SG ball.”

The 31-year-old feels that the primary objective would be to adjust to the pink ball “mentally” and hope for things to fall in place after that.

“I’m sure we’ll get two good practice sessions in Kolkata. I’m sure everyone will adjust very quickly. We are used to playing different formats - after T20s we play Tests.

“It’s just the mindset, technical skills will play a role. Mentally if you can adjust to the pink ball, then it’ll be good,” he said.

Visibility

Top-order batsman Pujara feels “visibility at twilight” could be an issue.

“I have played earlier with the pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, that was a good experience. Playing with pink ball at the domestic level could come in handy,” Pujara told bcci.tv.

“Visibility is not an issue during the day, it will be an issue in twilight and under lights, the twilight could be a little difficult. Those sessions will be crucial.”

Pujara added, “Most players have said that picking the wrist-spinners’ wrong‘un is a little difficult.”

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