BCCI protects its pink balls in a safe with 24 hour surveillance
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NEW DELHI: While the Cricketing fraternity is still unsure about the utility of the new pink Kookaburra ball, BCCI has taken stringent steps to ensure its safety in the ongoing Duleep Trophy.
What is the new pink ball?
The Kookaburra pink ball has made debut in India since the board is trying to rope in the day-night test matches which will require a ball with better visibility and conditional adjustment. This new pink ball is not only more expensive but also makes it tough for the bowlers and batsmen as the former has to judge the movement and seam and the latter has to control the movement.
The first pink-ball Test match at the international level featured Australia and New Zealand while it debuted in India during a Duleep Trophy match between India Red and India Green.
Why is it being taken care of so stringently?
The pink ball, given its special qualities is costs RS.8000/- while a normal ball costs Rs.1200\- Given this predicament, the board will provide 12 balls to each team for practice sessions and the match referee will keep an audit of the balls. Also any player who wants to keep any ball as a souvenir will have to provide a special written request to the board.
With the upcoming India-New Zealand Test series, which will have three matches, all scheduled for a 9:30 a.m start, a wait for the Test match pink ball debut in India remains.
