During The Hundred I ordered a pink kookaburra ball to understand it: Smriti Mandhana

It was a historic day for India Women’s team on September 30 as their first ever day-night Test got underway. They only had two practice sessions with the pink ball and many felt it will be tough for them. On the other hand, Australia had played a day-night Test back in 2017 but only very few players were featuring in this game. Nevertheless, they had the experience of playing under the lights.

But India dominated on Day 1, much to the surprise of the hosts and the experts with Smriti Mandhana leading the way with an unbeaten 80. The visitors ended at 132/1 on a rain-hit day and Australia were already under pressure thanks to some attacking batting display from Mandhana.

Speaking after the day’s play, the left-hander stated she had only a couple of sessions with the pink ball. However, she had ordered the pink ball during her stint in The Hundred just to study the pink cherry.

“We just had two sessions with pink ball. I was coming from the Hundred (in England) so I didn’t really get much time to play with pink ball, but during Hundred, I just ordered a pink kookaburra ball, just to keep it in my room because I knew that there is going to be a Test match, so that I can just look at the ball and understand,” she said during the virtual press conference.

I didn’t get time to have a session with pink ball, says Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana actually had the pink ball in her kit bag as she wanted to have a net session with it. But she didn’t get time at all and could only train with it ahead of the Test match. “I have actually not batted, I batted for just two sessions but the pink ball was there in my kit bag for last two and half, three months. I don’t know why did I carry it, I thought I will have a session but I really didn’t get time to do that,” she further added.

As far as the Test match is concerned, only 44.1 overs of play was possible on the opening day due to inclement weather. Play will start 30 minutes early, weather permitting, on the rest of the three days to cover up for the lost overs.