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India train under lights ahead of Indore Test


Bangladeshpost
Published : 12 Nov 2019 06:54 PM | Updated : 04 Sep 2020 07:00 PM

Even though the first-ever day-night Test between Bangladesh and India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata is still ten days away, the hosts are going full blast in getting adjusted to the pink ball used in the match especially during the twilight and night hours.

Just three days separate the first Test at Indore and the Kolkata day-night Test in Kolkata and it has prompted the Indian team to keep special practice sessions with the pink ball before the first Test.

Away in Bengaulu, five Indian Test cricketers have been practicing with the pink ball under flood lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium since Sunday last. Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara hit the nets under the guidance of former India captain and National Cricket Academy’s Head of Cricket Rahul Dravid.

This was the first training session with the pink ball. Mayank, Rahane, Pujara and Jadeja took on promising Karnataka junior team fast bowlers and spinners. The batsmen were cautious in dealing with the pink ball at the net meant for pacers, leaving balls outside off, in an effort to get accustomed to the pink ball. However, they had a more comfortable time at the spinners’ nets, smashing the bowlers around. Dravid was seen talking to the players and giving instructions to the net bowlers. 

At the net, paceman Mohd Shami troubled the batsmen with sharp pace and movement, getting appreciable swing from the new pink ball.

During the first Test against Bangladesh in Holkar Stadium in Indore starting on November 14, the Indian team has sought time and facilities to practice with the pink ball under the lights. “The Indian Team will be practicing with the pink ball under lights from 5 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday against a black sight-screen,” Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association head curator Samandar Singh Chouhan said. “We have got this request and have made the preparations accordingly.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly for early delivery of the pink ball was to allow both India and Bangladesh cricketers enough time to prepare for their first day-night Test in Kolkata.Both Bangladesh and Indian teams are already in Indore and had a work-out yesterday.