The visibility of the pink ball under lights is an issue and this could be a reason why so many (Bangladesh) batsmen got hit in the ongoing second Test at Eden Gardens, Cheteshwar Pujara observed. Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan retired hurt on the first day. Both were hit on the helmet by bouncers from Mohammed Shami and subsequently failed the concussion test. On the second day, as Bangladesh came out for their second innings, they nearly had another concussion victim.
Mohammad Mithun had survived a very close leg-before shout on umpire’s call. Ishant Sharma’s response was a nasty bouncer that thudded into the helmet grille. Mithun looked shaken. But after the on-field treatment he carried on. At this point the visitors were in danger of running out of concussion substitutes.
Pujara spoke about the visibility factor. “I thought light and pink ball had a role to play. As a batsman, it’s not easy to pick short balls especially. The pace our fast bowlers have, it’s not easy. Their batters haven’t even played any first-class match with the pink ball so it’s not easy,” Pujara, who scored a half-century in the first innings, replied.
“Batting under lights was difficult when I batted yesterday. Even when I saw on TV, the first session is easier to bat as there is no lights. When there is light, the ball starts swinging a little more. (Then) once dew comes in, batting again becomes easier.”
