Playing two pink-ball affairs against India may backfire on Australia: Ian Chappell

Virat Kohli-led team played the historic pink-ball Test match at the home of cricket, Eden Gardens against Bangladesh last month. India won by an innings and 46 runs to kick-start the pink-ball format on a high. Following the success of day-night Test in India, Virat Kohli was asked about the possibility of a day-night match during the Australia tour next year. The Indian captain added that he was geared up for any challenge as long as there was a practice match under the stadium lights.

On the contrary, Australia are the most successful team when it comes to pink-ball format and in fact, they have played more pink-ball affairs than any other team. Having played 6 matches so far- one against New Zealand, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and 2 games against Pakistan, Australia came through with flying colours in each of those six Tests at home and would hope to continue their dominance in the same format.

It is cognisance of the fact that the pink ball is known to assist the pacers. Earlier, Mitchell Starc came out on top much to visitors’ annoyance as he had accounted for 26 scalps to his name, becoming the most successful bowler with the pink cherry. He is followed by Josh Hazlewood with as many as 21 wickets.

‘India has a strong attack’: Ian Chappell

Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Ian Chappell feels the idea of playing two day-night Tests by Australia against India in 2020-21 may backfire keeping in mind that Virat Kohli’s brigade has a formidable bowling attack.

“Cricket Australia is contemplating two day-night Tests for the 2020-21 Indian tour. However, if that ploy is meant to advantage Australia, it may backfire as India have a strong attack and (Virat) Kohli has already shown he’s adept at captaincy in this part of the world,” wrote Ian Chappell in a column for ESPNcricinfo,

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, when Australia visit India next year for a limited-overs series in January, Cricket Australia (CA) delegation chaired by its chairman Earl Eddings will meet the new BCCI administration to talk about the possibility of staging day-night Tests at a formal meeting.

“Pleasingly they’ve played their first day-night Test and won easily. Now they’ve got through that it might give them the right build-up to it over here. I’ve got no doubt they’ll consider playing one and maybe even more day-night Test matches. But that’s down the track to when we catch up with them in January,” Eddings said.

Meanwhile, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly doesn’t really seem interested in the idea. He stressed on the fact saying that pink-ball Tests can’t replace conventional Test matches. However, he is happy to have at least one pink-ball affair every series.

“I have not heard anything officially from Cricket Australia. Two out of four will be a bit too much…it can’t replace traditional Test matches. But we can have one Pink Test every series,” Ganguly said.

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