BCCI not hosting pink-ball Tests due to short match durations

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are hesitant to host pink-ball Test matches in the near future. Secretary Jay Shah confirmed the latest development citing that the matches always tend to end early, something that the board doesn’t want. Notably, India hosted three pink-ball Test matches so far and all of those were almost one-sided. They defeated Bangladesh (2019) and Sri Lanka (2022) in just three days, while they registered a 10-wicket victory over England in 2021.

Shah mentioned that the Indian fans want to see a five-day Test match and are not thinking about pink-ball matches at the moment. However, he assured that once the fans are used to shorter Test matches, the board will plan to organise Test matches under lights.

“We will have to increase the amount of interest in the public for the pink-ball Test. If you recall, the (pink-ball) Tests ended in two-three days. Everyone wants to watch a Test match lasting four-five days. Once they get more used to it, we will do more pink-ball Tests,” Shah told reporters after the WPL auction on December 9.

Notably, the last time India played pink-ball Test was against Australia, in which the Virat Kohli-led side was all out for just 36 runs in Adelaide. Australia chased the total down with absolute ease and since then, there has not been much of a discussion regarding the Day-Night Test in the cricketing world. Shah reminded that and added that they were in talks with ECB to host one and will do it gradually.

“Last time it was done in Australia, no one has done it since then. We were in talks with England, but we will do it gradually,” the 35-year-old said.

Meanwhile, India have a hectic Test schedule in the coming days. The Rohit Sharma-led side will play a two-match series against South Africa, followed by a five-match series against England. Both series hold extreme importance as the team would aim to do well and stay in the race to qualify for the WTC final for the third time.