Ball colour doesn’t matter, Shami is deadly: Saha

Kolkata, November 20

India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has lavished praise on Mohammed Shami for being “deadly” on any surface, irrespective of the colour of the ball, due to his ability to get reverse swing.

Shami had a match-haul of seven wickets in the Indian pace trio’s collective haul of 14 scalps in the big win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Indore.

“With the form they (Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav) are in, the pink ball is not a factor. Especially (Mohammed) Shami, he can be deadly in any wicket. He has pace and ability to extract reverse swing,” Saha said when asked whether the colour of the ball will make a difference.

Saha said the Indians haven’t yet checked how much movement is on offer with the pink ball. “We are yet to see the movement of the pink ball. But the colour of the ball won’t matter with the current form of our pacers,” Saha added.

A handful of Indian players, including West Bengal’s Shami and Saha, have played with the pink ball in domestic cricket, though the wicketkeeper pointed out that they have played with an Australian brand ball, Kookaburra. India’s inaugural D/N Test will be played with the SG brand ball.

Background mattersKolkata, November 20

India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has lavished praise on Mohammed Shami for being “deadly” on any surface, irrespective of the colour of the ball, due to his ability to get reverse swing.

Shami had a match-haul of seven wickets in the Indian pace trio’s collective haul of 14 scalps in the big win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Indore.

“With the form they (Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav) are in, the pink ball is not a factor. Especially (Mohammed) Shami, he can be deadly in any wicket. He has pace and ability to extract reverse swing,” Saha said when asked whether the colour of the ball will make a difference.

Saha said the Indians haven’t yet checked how much movement is on offer with the pink ball. “We are yet to see the movement of the pink ball. But the colour of the ball won’t matter with the current form of our pacers,” Saha added.

A handful of Indian players, including West Bengal’s Shami and Saha, have played with the pink ball in domestic cricket, though the wicketkeeper pointed out that they have played with an Australian brand ball, Kookaburra. India’s inaugural D/N Test will be played with the SG brand ball.

Background matters

“The only change is the colour of the ball. It’s made differently. There’s also a change in the timing and picking the ball is a bit difficult in twilight. It may help the pacers but will be challenging for the batsmen,” Saha said, echoing what other Indian players have said.

Saha was concerned about the colour of the sightscreen, which would be white. “In white-ball cricket, we have black background and the feel remains the same even after it (ball) gets old. But here we have to see the backdrop. If it’s not clear, it will be challenging for the wicketkeeper as well,” he said.

“I stand near the slip fielders only. Our pacers at times deliver with a wobbly seam position. I will face the same challenge as them (slip fielders). But we have to accept the conditions offered to us. It’s the way forward,” he added. — PTI

“The only change is the colour of the ball. It’s made differently. There’s also a change in the timing and picking the ball is a bit difficult in twilight. It may help the pacers but will be challenging for the batsmen,” Saha said, echoing what other Indian players have said.

Saha was concerned about the colour of the sightscreen, which would be white. “In white-ball cricket, we have black background and the feel remains the same even after it (ball) gets old. But here we have to see the backdrop. If it’s not clear, it will be challenging for the wicketkeeper as well,” he said.

“I stand near the slip fielders only. Our pacers at times deliver with a wobbly seam position. I will face the same challenge as them (slip fielders). But we have to accept the conditions offered to us. It’s the way forward,” he added. — PTI