Eden Gardens set to host India's first pink ball Test

"Pink-ball cricket indeed is the way forward. Test cricket's popularity has been steadily declining and we must do something to arrest the slide. The pink-ball Test in Australia last year received an overwhelmingly positive response and we must embrace the change. The Super League final under lights is an experiment with an eye to hosting day-night Tests in the near future. I think it would be a very good experience," Sourav Ganguly told the Indian Express in an interview.

The BCCI technical committee, which is also headed by Sourav Ganguly, had earlier recommended the BCCI to introduce day-night Tests in the next season of Duleep trophy. The BCCI had earlier experimented with day-night Tests back in 1996-97, when Mumbai took on Delhi in the Ranji trophy final at Gwalior. The experiment turned out to be a failure after dew and moths played spoilsport.

However, this will be the first time a Test match will be played in India with Kookaburra's pink ball, in a nation where SG balls are used in domestic cricket. There are few concerns though, including complaints about quick deterioration of the pink balls and the issue of dew under lights in India. CAB Secretary Abhishek Dalmiya has said that they are in discussion with Kookaburra to prepare the perfect pitch and ground condition for the pink ball to last longer.

"Certain conditions are required for the pink ball to hold up for a substantial period. We have spoken to Kookaburra's subcontinent head and will follow the advice,” Dalmiya was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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