Mohammad Azharuddin explains why he is 'not a big fan of pink-ball cricket'

The pink-ball Test match has played a huge role in the revival of Test cricket. This form of the game was first embraced by Australia when they hosted the Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand, at the Adelaide Oval in November 2015. The concept has only gone on to boost the profile of the traditional form of the game over the years since then.

Meanwhile, former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has made it clear that he is not a big fan of the day-night Tests. Giving further clarification on the same, the ex-batting superstar has said that Test cricket should be played with the traditional red ball, and even though pink-ball Tests are getting results, the bowlers and batters have also had complaints in the past.

With Tests, it has to be with the red ball: Mohammad Azharuddin

“I am not a very big fan of pink-ball cricket. With Tests, it has to be with the red ball. It’s a long-standing tradition and should be upheld in my opinion. I know it’s (pink-ball Tests) getting results, but bowlers and batters have had complaints too in the past,” said Azharuddin as quoted by Sportstar.

Team India have so far played four pink-ball Test matches. While they are yet to taste defeat in this form of the game at home, they have suffered a humiliating loss against Australia during their first-ever overseas Test under lights when the Men In Blue had also registered their lowest Test score of 36 at the Adelaide Oval in December 2020.

The Indian team played their maiden day-night Test match against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which they went on to win comprehensively by an innings and 46 runs. They then beat England at the newly-renovated Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by 10 wickets in February 2021, and lately, defeated Sri Lanka by 238 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Nonetheless, it is Australia which is the most successful team as far as the pink-ball Tests are concerned. The Aussies hold an outstanding 9-0 record in day-night Tests and are yet to be defeated in this form of the game.