Sourav Ganguly wants team India to play atleast one day-night Test every series

India were reluctant starters for day-night Test even a year ago. They had turned down a proposal from Cricket Australia to take part in one pink-ball match during their tour Down Under in 2018. But after former captain Sourav Ganguly took over as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in October, they were quick to play their first Test match under the lights and win it almost in two days.

Now, such games are to feature more in India’s series even though captain Virat Kohli hasn’t shown too much inclination for it. Ganguly has admitted that not every Test should be a day-night affair but he wants the national team to play at least one day-night Test match in every series.

While traditional Test matches have struggled to attract a thick crowd of late, the pink-ball match between India and Bangladesh held at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, last month saw the venue getting the jam-packed crowd even though it was a one-sided contest.

“I am pretty upbeat about it. I feel this is the way forward. Not every Test, but at least one Test in a series. I will share my experiences with the board and we will try and implement it in other places. After this, everyone is ready. Nobody wants to play Test cricket in front of 5,000 people,” the BCCI chief was quoted as saying to The Week.

Australia want India to play them in the day-night Test next year

Australia have resent their proposal to India to play them in a day-night Test the next time the Asian powerhouse visits them next year. From former spinner Shane Warne to current Test captain Tim Paine, the proposal has come thick and fast although the Indian side hasn’t committed anything yet. But with Ganguly at the helm, it will not be surprising if India take on the Kangaroos under the lights at the Adelaide Oval in a Test in 2020.

Australia have played in six day-night Tests so far and won them all as well. They will play their seventh pink-ball Test against New Zealand next in Perth. Kohli said during the Test match in Kolkata that day-night Test matches should be more exceptions than the rule for he preferred the traditional format to stick to its traditional set-up.