Visibility an issue in twilight and under lights: Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of Day/Night Test

Pujara, along with players like Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari and Kuldeep Yadav, have had experience playing with the Kookaburra pink ball in the Duleep Trophy, and the right-handed batsman reckons that visibility might become an issue under lights. “Visibility is not an issue during the day, it will be an issue in twilight and under lights, the twilight could be a little difficult. Those sessions will be crucial.”

Pujara added, “Most players have said that picking the wrist spinners’ wrong ‘un is a little difficult. It is a new challenge, we don’t know how things will pan out. But two-three practice sessions before the match will give us a fair idea about the pink ball — how much it swings, how the ball plays session wise.”

“Playing the ball late and close to the body will be the key. I don’t think we will have much trouble adapting to the pink ball,” he added.

Former India captain and NCA Head of Cricket Rahul Dravid helped the Indian cricketers practicing with the SG pink ball under lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday including Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane and Pujara.

This is the first time that the pink ball will be used by the Virat Kohli-led side in the Kolkata Test at Eden Gardens from November 22.