NEW DELHI - India has refused to play a day-night Test during the tour of Australia later this year because of doubts over the quality of the pink ball, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Thursday.
“Yes, it’s pretty clear that we are not playing a day-night Test in Australia, no doubt about it,” BCCI administrator Vinod Rai said.
Cricket Australia (CA) had wanted the first Test in Adelaide from December 6 played under lights to tap on the growing popularity of pink-ball cricket.
But the BCCI said it did not want to get involved in an experiment in a high-profile series. “We have been saying all along that we are experimenting with pink ball cricket in the Duleep Trophy and that’s it for now,” said Rai.
CA chief executive James Sutherland has lobbied hard for top-ranked India to play a day-night match.
“I think everyone in world cricket knows that, to be frank, I think they want to come out here and beat us,” said Sutherland. - APP/AFP