Yuvraj: 'It will be challenging if it swings under lights'

Apprehensions of playing with the pink ball under floodlights caused some speculation and uncertainty among cricketers on the eve of the Duleep Trophy match in Greater Noida on Monday.

The pink ball will make its first-class debut in India in the Duleep Trophy.

The prospect of playing with the pink ball under floodlights caused some speculation and uncertainty among cricketers on the eve of the Duleep Trophy match here on Monday.

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India Red skipper Yuvraj Singh said, “I think it is pretty exciting. It is something to look forward to because we have play a lot of days cricket and we have the same format. It will be challenging if it swings a lot playing under lights. I am just looking forward for the excitement.”

For India Green captain Suresh Raina, the match “will be a great contest. For the first time we will be playing for 90 overs in a day-night match. Look forward to enjoying the next four days.”

India Red coach Narendra Hirwani was unsure of how the ball would behave. “I think it’s too early to say anything on the pink ball. First I will watch the match. It would be too soon to say something now. But it would be interesting.”

W. V. Raman, the India Green coach, pink ball cricket was the way forward. “The biggest challenge would be during winter when the ball gets wet, due to dew. Gripping would be an issue. Unlike other countries cricket is winter sport in India.”