India vs Bangladesh: No pink ball practice for visitor yet

Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque feels the small window between the two Tests will be good enough time to prepare with the pink ball.

The only pink ball match across the border — Bangladesh Cricket League final between Central Zone and North Zone — happened six years ago.

Before landing in Indore for the first Test against Bangladesh, the Indian team management had requested the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association for pink balls. The host switched between red and pink in its training sessions as the second fixture at Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be under lights.

But the story is different for Bangladesh. It is yet to lay its hands on the pink ball in India.

PREVIEW| India vs Bangladesh: Virat Kohli and Co. set to resume Test dominance

Newly-appointed Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said, “When we were in Dhaka, we had a little bit of pink ball practice but we haven’t done it after coming here. We will get three days time before the day-night Test starts [from November 22], we plan to practise with the pink ball then.

“I have not played much with the pink ball and none of our players have experience of the pink ball, how it behaves or swings.”

Bangladesh is behind India in pink ball and day-night Test experience. The Indian cricketers have had their share of pink in Duleep Trophy and CAB Super League finals.

On the other hand, the only pink ball match across the border — Bangladesh Cricket League final between Central Zone and North Zone — happened six years ago. And none of the players from the Bangladesh squad touring India were part of it.

READ:  History, records in Tests so far

No practice, no problem

The last time Bangladesh toured India, for a one-off Test in Hyderabad, there was a practice match. But this time, the action is directly moving from the T20Is to Tests.

“Eight players in this Test team are coming from four-day domestic cricket back home. As all the players were playing red ball cricket in Dhaka, I don’t think it will be a problem. Talking about the Indian pacers, I don’t see it as threat. I see it as opportunity. There is no pressure,” said Haque, adding he is aware of India’s multiple skill-sets across pace and spin. “They are capable of throwing different challenges to different teams. They may also challenge us with spin. We have prepared accordingly.”

The Bangladesh team management is yet to decide on the combination for the first Test.