• Source:JND

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has supported the ICC’s trial of using a pink ball when bad light stops play during a Test match. However, the switch can only happen if both teams agree to it before the match begins.

The proposal was among the recommendations approved by the ICC Board during its meeting in Ahmedabad last Sunday. India has played five pink-ball Tests so far, all of them day-night matches.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir Drops Big Hint On India’s New Spinner Ahead Of Afghanistan Test

Gambhir on the use of the pink ball in a Test match

With a place in the World Test Championship final being a major goal in Test cricket, Gambhir said he would not want his team to miss out on that chance because of bad light affecting play.

“I love that. I’ve always believed that if there’s an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity,” Gambhir said. “Imagine if you’re playing the last Test before the WTC final and you have the chance to win that Test and qualify, but because of bad light it’s not happening. I know it could be a little difficult for the players. But it’s a proactive move. And hopefully the teams will start taking it in a positive way.”

Gambhir is currently in Chandigarh alongside the Shubman Gill-led side for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. 

ALSO READ: After Virat Kohli, Will Rohit Sharma Also Miss ODI Series Against Afghanistan? Here's All You Need To Know

Ahead of the Afghanistan Test, Gambhir also confirmed that Sai Sudharsan will be India's number three batter and the Men in Blue will also feature with four spinners. There are reports that pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj will also likely to miss the clash to manage his workload. 

"Sai Sudharsan deserves fair chance" said Gambhir ahead of 1st Test.

"We can (only) pick 11 (players) and Sai isn't in bad form. He scored 700 runs in IPL. If we judge Sai on basis of 4-5 games we will never be able to build something," he added.


Also In News