BENGALURU: India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah feels that cricketers need to make a few “mental adjustments” going into a ‘Pink Ball’ Test but defining one set parameter for that is not possible since all three day-night games they have played in the past were in varied conditions.
India are gearing up for their fourth day-night Test against Sri Lanka, having played against Bangladesh
on a seaming Eden Gardens track, versus Australia on a bouncy Adelaide Oval surface and with England on a Motera rank turner. Bumrah said they are still learning how to approach pink ball games.
“As professional cricketers, we need to adjust as quickly as possible. The pink ball looks different while fielding. It comes earlier (travels faster) than what you perceive. In a Test match, ball swings more in the morning session.
“But in the afternoon session, the ball may not swing much. And then in the evening, it can swing more, all these small points (are being discussed),” Bumrah said during the pre-match virtual media interaction.
“We have not played many pink ball matches and whatever we have played, they were all in different conditions, so no parameter can be set (on adjustments required). “So whatever little experience we have gathered and the feedback we have taken, we are trying to work on those things,” the fast bowler added.
Bumrah also revealed that they had an optional practice session with pink ball even during the Mohali Test.
In India’s previous pink-ball games, the pitches on offer were of different of variety.
“We are not used to fielding, bowling and batting with the pink ball. You don’t play pink ball cricket. When you field under lights, what adjustments you have to make. We are still new in this format.”
Bumrah said it depends on an individual how difficult or easy it is to make those mental adjustments.
