The Duleep Trophy 2016-17 has gained special significance by the introduction of pink ball and playing a multi-day match under lights. The first match between India Red and India Green has further historic relevance since this was the first time that a first-class game was played in these conditions.
India Green’s wicket-keeper batsman, Parthiv Patel said it was a good experience while looking back on the match. “It was good to be part of the first game and to be a part of history,” he mentioned.
Reflecting on the new conditions, Patel said, “We all came with some preconceived thought that the ball will move around and there will be lot of movement but it wasn’t to be. It didn’t move as much as we had thought. Conditions were really good. It was an ideal four-day pitch where it would turn a bit, swing and good to bat on. It was a very good experience playing with the pink ball.”
Speaking about keeping to the pink ball he said, “I don’t think there was any problem in sighting the ball. In fact during the day we could see the ball better and because of the shine on the ball the visibility was very good. Only thing which I felt is that we are not used to playing with the pink ball coming towards us. Usually what happens is when you practice with plastic balls and all it gives you that kind of coloured feeling.
It is just a matter of getting used to it and then I thought visibility was not a problem at all even during night.” The slight changes in colour as the light changes is not an issue he added.
Asked about the most noticeable difference in playing with the pink ball vis a vis the red and the white ball he explained, “There surely is a difference between the red SG Test and the pink ball. The SG Test ball does reverse a bit, but the kind of gloss which stays on this ball does not reverse that much. Since there is 4mm grass and lush outfield, the ball doesn’t get roughed up as well. I don’t know whether the reverse swing will happen with this ball or not, but if we play on a drier wicket and a drier outfield then this will be one thing which we might want to see.”
“The ball was coming on to the bat quite nicely. Yesterday the ball did move slightly more than what it did on first and second day,” he remarked while speaking about the various phases and experiences that the cricketers experienced while playing.
Speaking about the possibility of playing international matches with pink ball in the sub-continent, Patel said, “In the sub-continent conditions I don’t think an international game would be played with this much of grass on the pitch. I have been seeing Test cricket for quite a few years and I don’t remember it being played on a green top in home conditions. Ideally we shouldn’t be playing on green top pitches. There is definitely home advantage and we should be taking it. That’s how it should be. We’ll have to see how the ball behaves on a drier pitch.”
Elaborating further he said, “There is definitely future but too early to say. As we play lot more games we will know lot of things. Like, yesterday (Day 3) we experienced that dew could also be a factor. On the first couple of days there was no dew, but there was dew on the third day. The ball did skid more and it did move slightly more than in first two days. As we play more we will get to it and we will get over the excitement. It was definitely exciting to get to play a day-night four-day game.”
