BGT: Shubman Gill Discusses Challenges of Nighttime Pink Ball Cricket
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Brisbane, Dec 13 (NationPress) Indian batsman Shubman Gill spoke about the team's 10-wicket defeat in the day-night Test match held in Adelaide, noting that the squad is more familiar with the red ball. He pointed out that the pink ball is somewhat different, making it tougher to evaluate the seam position while playing in the evening.
After achieving a remarkable 295-run victory, their largest Test win over Australia, in the series opener in Perth, India faced a setback with a 10-wicket loss in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, which evened the five-match series at 1-1.
"The pink ball does differ from the red ball. It becomes a bit challenging to assess the seam and the bowler's grip, especially when playing at night. Our experience is more with the red ball during the day. The dynamics of a pink ball Test are not something we encounter frequently," Shubman conveyed to reporters prior to the match.
India aims to reclaim the series lead when the two teams clash again for the third Test at Gabba, the venue where India achieved a historic three-wicket win in 2021, breaking Australia’s 33-year stronghold at the ground. Shubman made a significant contribution with a score of 91 in the second innings during that match.
As India returns to the same venue for a practice session, Shubman remarked, "It was a nostalgic experience stepping into the stadium after 2021. The pitch looks promising, and we will gather more insights tomorrow."
He also emphasized the difficulties faced while touring Australia for Test cricket, stating that mental fitness is crucial for competing effectively in this environment.
"The intensity of matches here, especially Test matches, is one of the most challenging aspects of maintaining focus over the course of five days. This is what makes touring Australia particularly tough. Above all, it’s about the mental toughness needed here," he explained.
The 25-year-old batsman shared the enjoyable aspects of a lengthy Test series, mentioning that facing the same bowler multiple times provides batters insights into potential dismissal scenarios.
"There might be instances where a bowler dismisses you three or four times throughout the series. Having the opportunity to face the same bowler again in the next Test allows you to recognize certain areas where you are vulnerable as a batter. That’s the exciting part about a long Test series," Shubman added.
"Even before the series commenced, we had enough encounters with them. Their Test team has remained mostly unchanged over the past five to six years, with only a few adjustments due to injuries. They are aware of the areas they will target, just as we know where we will focus our efforts against them," he noted.
"So, even before arriving here, both teams anticipated the challenges ahead. As I mentioned, that’s the enjoyable aspect of engaging in a comprehensive series. It goes beyond mere skill; mental tactics play a significant role here," he concluded.
