No Day-Night Test for India during New Zealand visit

India might have to wait longer to host its first Day-Night Test © Cricaction

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the fixtures for New Zealand's upcoming tour of three Tests and five ODIs in India but the much anticipated Day-Night Test hasn't found a mention in it. Anurag Thakur, the board president, had announced that the board was keen on hosting a Test played with the pink ball under lights against New Zealand. It seems, the board has realized it does not have sufficient time to organize the pink-ball match with it's unique demands.

The board had planned to use the pink ball in this year's Duleep Trophy tournament and get feedback of regular India players. Plans to have a Day-Night Test was to be based on that feedback. The Duleep Trophy format was also tweaked and it was decided the tournament would be played between four teams instead of the usual five zones under lights. The teams are also due to be picked by the selectors.

But it appears the board couldn't wait for the Duleep Trophy to get over which could only be played in September as the Indian team is slated to come back from the West Indies tour in the last week of August. The board is yet to announce the dates and venues of the Duleep Trophy games which should ideally be played before the New Zealand series.

However, according to a BCCI official, the rejigged Duleep Trophy still remains very significant. "It was said that the Duleep Trophy will be used to get feedback on pink ball. So, it is still important to get the players' feedback for future plans," an official told TOI on Tuesday (June 28), while insisting that a Day-Night Test can't be ruled out of the remaining season at home which will see another 10 Tests to be played. "A call on having a pink-ball Test can only be taken after the Duleep Trophy. So, one has to wait till then," the source said.

The opinion of India players on the pink ball is vital. With the board planning a two-week long mini IPL, it will leave the top stars very little time to recover from the four-Test series in West Indies for the New Zealand series if they also play in the Duleep trophy. With the ball manufacturers suggesting a certain amount of grass on the pitch to retain the gloss and shape of the pink ball, playing under lights at home against superior seam bowlers in the ranks of England and Australia could be hazardous if the players don't have an idea about how the pink ball behaves.