The Gautam Gambhir-led India Blue will be playing for the first time under lights with the pink ball when they take on Yuvraj Singh’s India Red, who come into the match on the back of a win against India Green in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2016-17.
Speaking about his team, India Blue coach, Ashish Kapoor said, “I think we have a very able captain and we are a very balanced. We are pretty confident of doing well.”
Discussing playing with the pink ball for the first time, Gambhir said, “It’s going to be exciting because this is the first time we are going to be playing (with the pink ball). The other side has already played one game. It’s going to be exciting, especially when the lights are on and how the pink ball behaves and all that stuff, but at the same time the game of cricket remains the same.
“It’s a contest between the bat and ball, let’s see how it goes. The most important thing is the mindset and the mindset should be to go out there and win the tournament, and that is how you end up performing as a team as well. Otherwise it becomes an individual kind of tournament which is not the case. We have to turn up tomorrow as a team (looking to win),” he added.
Speaking about the challenges for batsmen and especially openers, the experienced campaigner said, “The challenge is always there when you play with the red ball, especially when you play against the kookaburra because the kookaburra does do more in the first 15-20 overs and that’s what we have always realised as a opening batsman that’s once the seam gets flatter, it gets easier and that’s always going to be a challenge whether it’s the pink ball or the red ball, so let’s see how it behaves tomorrow. My experience with the red kookaburra is that it does more as compared to the SG test or the duke ball. Opening the batting is not that easy and once you start opening the batting you need to accept that it is going to be a challenge, face it rather than thinking too much about it and take it on from there.”
While there have been varied challenges, spinner had said that gripping the ball is one of them. Asked if there has been anything that the spinners would be working on or doing differently, India Red’s Akshay Wakhare who played the first game said, “Nothing specific, but you have to get used to it. This is the first time we are getting used to it as this is the first time we are playing with the pink ball. Gripping is not easy but we have to get used to it.”
Speaking about the change in format for the Duleep Trophy from being a zonal tournament to three teams – India Red, India Green and India Blue - with a mix of players across the regions playing together, Gambhir said, “This is what professional cricket is all about. The most important thing is if our mindset is about winning the tournament then it becomes easier. If your mindset is to (showcase) your own individual performances, then it is difficult to approach the tournament. And as I said, a game of cricket or tournament needs to be played in a certain way and that is about going out there and win that’s what I have always focussed on in any game and any tournament and nothing different tomorrow.
“It’s about winning the tournament. We are going to try and do everything possible to win the tournament,” he stated emphatically.
While talking about the ground and conditions, Gambhir, who was yet to have a look at the pitch said, “Ground looks good. How it will be under lights will matter. I am going to play here for the first time tomorrow. We are looking forward to a good experience.”
As they look forward to open their account in the ongoing tournament, India Blue practiced at length in the nets in Greater Noida with the pink ball as they prepared to take on their opposition.
