Agarkar not entirely for neutral venues

"You have very few people watching Ranji Trophy and domestic cricket to begin with, so now if you have neutral venues, I don't know if the crowds will show up. Having said that, you won't know whether a rule is good or bad unless you try it," said Agarkar

Former India cricket Ajit Agarkar is not a fan of playing matches at neutral venues.

Former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar does not entirely support the BCCI Technical Committee’s recommendation to hold Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues.

“I'm not a big fan of playing all games in neutral venues. I have many fond memories of playing home matches for Mumbai. Being a Mumbaikar, I wanted to play at least a few games at home.

“You have very few people watching Ranji Trophy and domestic cricket to begin with, so now if you have neutral venues, I don't know if the crowds will show up. Having said that, you won't know whether a rule is good or bad unless you try it,” said Agarkar, on the sidelines of the Pro-am event of the Louis Philippe Cup golf tournament here on Tuesday.

India, meanwhile, is set to host its first day-night Test later this year. Agarkar is not convinced about using the pink ball, but believes that the plan will help revitalise the longest format of the sport.

“In India, you need to get the crowds in to watch Tests, which at times does not happen. So if it helps this format, it is good.

“I have played a day-night Ranji trophy final in 1995-96. It was completely different because it was played with a white ball. I don't know whether I would like the pink ball or not. If it lasts and behaves like a red ball, then why not?”