Thakur rules out pink-ball Test this season

New Delhi, September 26 

BCCI president Anurag Thakur today ruled out India playing a day-night Test at home in the near future, saying that the pink ball will not be used in Tests this season.

With this statement, Thakur put to rest speculation on whether India would hold its first day-night Test in the long home season. “It is too early to say anything (about pink ball Test cricket). As far as trying it in Duleep Trophy under lights is concerned, it was a big success. But you need to look at overall picture before you take the final call,” Thakur said.  “I would like to go into the details in a scientific manner,” he said, adding “as of now, we are not ready for a pink-ball Test.” 

Thakur explained why more time is needed before venturing into the world of pink ball Test. “First, how to make it more interesting and result-oriented.  Second, how do you involve more fans who come to the ground or watch it on TV? Third, how pink ball is impacting Tests at a time when people are not coming to watch Tests,” he said. — PTI