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Gambhir in favour of red-ball-pink-ball switch
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the idea of switching from a red ball to a pink ball to deal with poor light conditions. The concept was proposed by the International Cricket Council during a meeting in Ahmedabad recently. Test cricket has long struggled with interruptions caused by poor visibility as the day progresses. Traditionally, play is suspended when natural light becomes insufficient, even if floodlights are available, because the red ball becomes increasingly difficult to see under artificial lighting in later stages of the day. The idea by ICC is aimed at reducing lost playing time.
"I love that because I've always believed that if there's an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity. Imagine if you are playing the last Test match before the World Test Championship final and you have the chance to win that Test match to qualify, and because of bad light, it's not happening. So I'm all for it," Gambhir said at the press conference.
Under this proposed framework, matches would begin in the usual manner with the red ball under natural daylight conditions. However, if deteriorating light forces play under floodlights, then the pink-ball would be used. A key condition for the switch is mutual agreement between both captains.
"If there's an opportunity to get the result, if both teams agree to it… I know it could be a little unfair and difficult for the players, but imagine working hard for two years and the last Test match before the World Test Championship final, if you don't play five days because of bad light, how unfair that could be. So I think it's a proactive move, it's a positive move, and, hopefully, the teams will start taking it in a positive way," he said.
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