India to play day-night Test very soon

India is the only major Test-playing nation apart from Bangladesh to have not yet played a day-night Test match. The newest members Ireland and Afghanistan also have not yet had the opportunity to play with the pink ball.

The day is not far when India will be seen playing a day-night Test with a pink ball, joining hands with other major Test playing nations, assured Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Dian Edulji on Monday.

India is the only major Test-playing nation apart from Bangladesh to have not yet played a day-night Test match. The newest members Ireland and Afghanistan also have not yet had the opportunity to play with the pink ball.

"We are working on it (Day-Night Tests). It will happen, whenever it comes up," Edulji said speaking on the sidelines of the ninth Dilip Sardesai memorial lecture at the Cricket Club of India.

Asked where it will happen -- abroad or India, Edulji said, "wherever."

BCCI had refused Cricket Australia’s proposal of playing a day-night Test at Adelaide during India’s tour to Australia later in November.

Reminded that the BCCI missed out on the opportunity to play day-night Tests in India and Australia, Edulji said, "That happened, but it will change".

Meanwhile, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar too batted for pink ball Tests, stressing that it will increase the viewership of Test cricket.

He said players are choosing T20 leagues over Test cricket because of the money involved in the shortest formal.

"The only way to get more people to watch Test cricket, increase its viewership, popularity and thereby its quality is day-night Test matches," said Manjrekar here.

"Why aren't we playing more day-night Test matches, when its a no-brainer that it will draw more viewership," Manjrekar wondered while delivering the ninth Dilip Sardesai Memorial lecture at the Cricket Club of India.

"An offer was recently rejected by India - because the players are wary of it, wary of the pink ball, the dew factor etc.

"I always believed that conditions aren't unfair if it is the same for both the sides," the 53-year-old Manjrekar, who played 74 ODIs, said.

According to the former right-handed batsman, players are choosing T20 leagues over Test cricket, which was understandable because of the money involved but was not good for the longest form of the game.

"Today's Test cricket is played in front of empty stands and IPL in front of frenzied crowds of 50,000 plus and millions watching on TV.

"It's about playing the IPL (Indian Premier League) at all cost, player injuries surface before and after the IPL. IPL offers you fame and money and who will say no to this?

"Also Test cricket is just too damn hard, so it's no wonder that many are choosing T20 leagues over Test matches," elaborated Manjrekar.

He also cautioned that people "who are at the top" should not get dictated by the views of the players.

"I believe that people at the top should get their (players) views and not get dictated by those," he said.