Lively pitch on the cards
My wickets have bounce and the pink ball will bounce too. It’s going to be a lively wicket. It is going to be a good wicket for pacers but also for batsmen. It’s not like someone will come and bowl fast and then expect wickets.
SUJAN MUKHERJEE
EDEN GARDENS CHIEF CURATOR
There has been a lot of speculation about the pink ball in both Bangladesh and India as the two countries gear up for their first Day-Night Test. With the pitch set to play a big part in the historic encounter, Sujan Mukherjee, chief curator of the Eden Gardens, spoke to reporters and reiterated that the pitch was the same for all types of balls but that there would be a lot of life in it to entertain the crowd.
The red ball gets its colour from leather but the pink-ball is a coloured ball and has a glossy outer layer. That means good grass cover is important and a good surface reduces wear and tear on the ball.
“There was no separate preparation for the pink ball. Players who have played pink-ball matches have told me that it’s better when there is more grass and the wicket is hard. Also, it’s better if we keep the grass on the outfield short,” Sujan told The Daily Star yesterday.
“The ball will move around a bit and the wicket will be very good. The fielders will feel comfortable too,” he added.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 150 and 213 in their two innings in the first Test and here the Tigers will have to contend not only with good swing, but some extra bounce as well.
“My wickets have bounce and the pink ball will bounce too. It’s going to be a lively wicket. It is going to be a good wicket for pacers but also for batsmen. It’s not like someone will come and bowl fast and then expect wickets. The bowlers will have to bowl well. The spectators will enjoy the game if it’s a good game. Bangladesh are a young team. Some time will have to be afforded since they are a very young side. Two senior players are not there but one or two senior players are there. Given how Bangladesh have been playing for the past few years, they will play well too. I want it to be an enjoyable Test,” the curator stated.
The dew factor is likely to play a part and batsmen will be hoping for some dew so that scoring is easier during the evening, with the pitch very batting-friendly during the afternoon session.
“I remained here till 7:00 or 7:30pm for the past two or three days and the amount of dew there was negotiable. Even yesterday, I saw that there was not much dew. We have applied anti-dew spray so that the dew goes away faster,” he assured regarding the dew factor.
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