Sourav Ganguly feels Pink ball is here to stay

Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who now wears the administrator's hat as president of Cricket Association of Bengal, remains optimistic about Eden Gardens hosting the country's first-ever day-night Test, against New Zealand, and is awaiting directives from BCCI. There were reports which had claimed that New Zealand Cricket does not want to play day-night Test in India during their three-match series, tentatively scheduled for October. "I have not heard this. They have played against Australia (in the first and only day-night Test) at the Adelaide Oval in November last year," Ganguly said. "I would like to see what directives come from the BCCI. It's happening all around the world. It's a matter of time before it happens in India." Ganguly is the first in the country to take the initiative as the CAB has planned the Super League final (June 18-21) under lights using a pink kookaburra ball. The technical committee chairman of the Board also recommended using pink ball in the upcoming Duleep Trophy on an experimental basis ahead of the proposed day-night Test against New Zealand. The three-match Test series against New Zealand will be played at Indore, Kanpur and Kolkata with the Eden Gardens expected to host the country's first international five-day day/night match. Citing the example of Virender Sehwag's century with pink ball in a Champion county match, Ganguly said, "Brightness was a lot better. This is here to bring people back to the ground." "It's all about marketing. Pink ball is the way forward. You have to find a way to bring people back to the ground. Everything needs a bit of innovation. Like nobody thought T20/IPL to be so popular till it came to being. "We take time to get used to the changes but then realise that's the best way forward. Yes, there will be dew in winter. but we face the same problem with white ball. "First, let's have a start. Let's see the problems and try to address it and fix the issues." Laxman said pink ball should be given to India's premier spinner like Ravichandran Ashwin to asses how it turns. "Ashwin's only concern will be the softness of the ball as after 50 overs it loses colour and becomes soft what I heard. But with their calibre, the bowlers will find a way." Bhowanipore Club will face Mohun Bagan in the first pink ball four-day match under lights in the CAB Super League final. The match timing would be from 2.30 pm to 9pm.