Xtra Time Web Desk: Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has a very important suggestion for Virat and other Indian test batsmen as they gear up to play their first ever test match with pink ball. The master blaster in an interview with Hindustan Times said picking the seam of the pink ball will be the key to do well for any batsmen. Virat and his boys will play the first ever Day Night test against the touring Bangladesh side at the Eden Gardens from November 22.
Most of the batsmen in the current test squad have limited experience with the pink ball. According to Tendulkar, “I have heard from some of the cricketers who have played with the pink ball that at twilight, they find it difficult to sight the ball. I look at it slightly differently; it’s about picking the seam. Seeing the seam in that light becomes difficult sometimes. It becomes important whether the seam of the pink ball is visible or not because the seam gives away everything. Good batters are always watching the wrist, fingers and the seam. So the seam position should be visible. That is a critical factor. You look at the release of the ball. Be it a fast bowler or spinner, you have to be able to see the seam, which way the seam is going. The revs on the ball; which way the ball is spinning in the air. That becomes really critical.
One more concern of having a test match under the lights is the dew factor. With the test match at Eden Gardens happening during late November, dew will definitely be a factor. The local association i.e., the Cricket Association of Bengal is taking measures such as spraying anti-dew chemicals to counter it. But still there will be a concern for both sides about the dew. According to Tendulkar, “We haven’t done it before. But if we don’t play, we will never know. So it’s good something different is being tried out. We need to be aware there could be dew, and if there is then what time it would set in and how much it would affect the game.”
The last session daily in a Day Night test could become crucial as the ball could seam and swing more. To counter the dew factor, the Day Night test at Eden Gardens will have an early start daily from 1pm.
Talking about the final session in a Day Night test, how it can affect the match, Tendulkar said, “It will be interesting because the sun’s position is such the light changes quite a bit. Good floodlights I am sure will help. Having said that, only when we go out and experience shall we know how it would be. But it’s not a bad move. Sometimes you have to jump in the pool to figure out if you can reach the other end or not.”