Ganguly awaits BCCI directives on day-night Test

Sourav Ganguly, the president of Cricket Association of Bengal, remains optimistic about Eden Gardens hosting the country’s first-ever day-night Test against New Zealand, and is awaiting directives from BCCI.

Sourav Ganguly (right) throws a pink ball at Dean Jones (unseen) after a panel discussion on day-night Tests, at Eden Gardens.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, the president of Cricket Association of Bengal, remains optimistic about Eden Gardens hosting the country’s first-ever day-night Test against New Zealand, and is awaiting directives from BCCI.

There were reports which had claimed that New Zealand Cricket did not want to play day-night Test in India during the country's three-match series tentatively scheduled for October. “I have not heard this. They have played against Australia (in the first and only day-night Test) at the Adelaide Oval in November last year,” Ganguly said.

“I would like to see what directives come from the BCCI. It’s happening all around the world. It’s a matter of time before it happens in India.”

Ganguly is the first in the country to take the initiative in this regard as the CAB has planned the Super League final (June 18-21) under lights using a pink kookaburra ball.

The technical committee chairman of the Board also recommended using pink ball in the upcoming Duleep Trophy on an experimental basis ahead of the proposed day-night Test against New Zealand.

The three-match Test series against New Zealand will be played at Indore, Kanpur and Kolkata with the Eden Gardens expected to host the country’s first international five-day day/night match.