Nagpur :India captain Virat Kohli today welcomed the experiment of day-night Test cricket that’s set to take place when Australia meet New Zealand in the third and final game of their current series in Adelaide from November 27.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the third Test against South Africa, the India skipper also complimented the two teams and their countries’ cricket authorities for taking the unique step that may point to the future of the longest and most traditional form of the game.
“I’ve heard a few players giving feedback on playing with the pink ball. The only thing they were concerned about was during twilight it was very hard to pick the ball. During day it was fine, during night it was okay as well. But when the floodlights are not sort of on and when the sun is going down is when they found it difficult,” said Kohli.
“It is a landmark Test. It is a big step towards changing something in Test cricket. I hope it works. I hope it can be another option as well. Hopefully it will be better for the game. It might be a step that we will all remember a few years down the lane. Let’s hope so. It is a step towards something,” he said.
“I’m glad that two teams have agreed to play an official Test like that, as an experiment. So, credit to Australia and New Zealand that they have decided to do this.”
He felt cricketers should be willing to play in day-night Test matches if it becomes a norm as this could be the way forward to popularise Test match cricket.
“If it is officially put into place, it will be something different, something exciting. As cricketers we all should be willing and accepting of the fact the need to step forward and contribute to the game however possible. If this is a step towards improving the excitement and popularity of Test cricket then I think every team should be in for it. Once the experiment works, it might be a landmark in itself.”
PTI