Duleep Trophy 2016: Selectors urge Anurag Thakur to host pink-ball Ranji matches

Greater Noida: The senior national selection committee has given a suggestion to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur to conduct at least one pink ball match under lights per round in the Ranji Trophy to carry on with the process of day-night matches for the longer version. Sitting alongside chief coach Anil Kumble, selectors Vikram Rathour and Saba Karim confirmed the development in Greater Noida on Saturday. “From the selectors’ side, we are very happy with the outcome. We have told BCCI to have at least one Ranji game per round with pink ball under lights so that players get used to it,” Rathour told PTI on the sidelines of the Duleep Trophy final. [caption id=“attachment_2995014” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Duleep Trophy was played under lights for the first time this year . AFP[/caption] Asked about his initial feedback, Rathour said that some work needs to be done as far as helping bowlers get reverse swing with pink kookaburra is concerned. “We need to check how it performs on bald surfaces devoid of grass. Yes reverse swing is an issue right now as the ball is not moving the other way. But these things can be worked out if BCCI sits with ball manufacturers. They must also be thinking about improvisation. There is more lacquer on the pink ball but we need to check how it performs when it gets scuffed up,” Rathour explained. However, visibility is not an issue, feels both Rathour and Karim. “We have spoken to the players and they feel that visibility is not an issue. Most of the batsmen felt that they are not having problems in sighting the ball under lights. About the issue of black seam, I guess it has got a lot to do with practice. The more you play, the better you get at it. “That’s why Ranji matches need to be played with pink ball.” Rathour said that the popularity and crowd factor should also be taken into account. “I have been watching Duleep Trophy games for last four years. I don’t remember having seen such a packed crowd in a domestic game,” said Rathour, pointing at the close to 3000-odd people, who had gathered to watch the India stars in action. About the dew factor, Rathour said that one needs to adjust to it and players know about it since every ODIs these days are day/night affair.