The last time Eden Gardens was brimmed up in a test match was during the historic 2001 clash against Australia. Much like that clash, which opened up new avenues for the Men In Blue, the Day/Night test promises to do the same for Indian cricket which is turning a new leaf in dominance at the moment.
While countries like Australia and New Zealand got to experience the perks and boons of the pink ball back in 2015, it was a long wait for the Men In Blue. After lots of sways and close calls, the appointment of Sourav Ganguly as the BCCI president was the catalyst that this move needed.
The Day-Night test achieved its primary goal, which was to bring in spectators. Eden Gardens was buzzing during dusk much like during an IPL game which shows how the new format has excited the viewers.
Yet another appealing factor of the revamped format is the timing which allows several spectators to join in during the latter stages of the play. Moreover, in a country with scorching heat, it eases the viewers as they only have to endure the heat for a short while.
Moreover, Team India’s performance albeit against a team like Bangladesh is bound to get the viewers buzzing. The glittering pink ball was a spectacle to behold either off the bat of Virat Kohli or zipping its way through the air off the hands of the seamers.
The successful completion of the Day/Night test puts forward a lot of new exciting prospects in the future. To entice the viewers in regards to domestic cricket, Ranji Trophy matches could be played under the lights as there is a huge bridge between domestic and International cricket viewers.
Playing with the pink ball is a challenge for all the departments of the game. With the ball garnering movement under the lights, it is an ordeal for the batsman to deal with the movement as well as spot it in the lights. Meanwhile, with the ball being harder and weighing more than the traditional red ball, grabbing catches is a challenge. Due to these aspects, playing with the pink ball under the lights can develop a player if it is implemented right from the domestic level itself.
With the pink ball test being aesthetically pleasing, it draws a lot of the younger audience as well. After the culmination of the Day/Night test, it is safe enough to say that it has made India fall in love with test cricket once again.
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