D/N test viability in India

[Gollum]

Is it a gimmick or need of the hour? Unlike Aus, Eng, RSA, NZ we have a huge dew problem in the evening, saw that even against BD last year. As such pink ball tests negate spinners, added dew means spinners are totally out of the game. Unless we can somehow find a way to eliminate dew don't think it is a good idea. Best bet is play D/N tests only in Dec-Jan in places like Kolkata where sun sets by 4:30, maybe start the game at 11 and wrap things up by 6:30 evening. 

[Gollum]

In future Aus assignments (maybe even NZ, RSA, Eng, WI....) it is inevitable that we will play a D/N test every tour. We can't be like fish out of water, so I think we can allow one D/N test every year in India. Hopefully brings in crowds and boosts TV/digital viewership but I am not too hopeful in the long run, fads eventually die out. Multiple D/N fixtures will be overkill, test cricket is best when played in sunlight hours. And  sure, more pink ball practice in FC. 

 

Also can BCCI work towards a dedicated home season, looked like we were getting there in 2016-17, what happened? Pongal test in Chennai, Christmas D/N in Kolkata, Holi test yada yada.....schedule the matches coinciding with festivals and develop our own tradition like Boxing Day, New Year's test.

Edited December 10, 2020 by Gollum

[Forever Indian]

It just adds a bit of variety to the Test format. Otherwise it will be difficult to get in the crowds and keep them engaged.

[ShoonyaSifar]

Such innovation is exciting and thankfully Dada pushed Kohli and Shastri to agree to a D/N test vs BD. Good to see another one being planned.

 

Non-coastal, non-gangatic plain cities like Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Hyderabad, with very little humidity, will have no issues with dew barring the Nov-mid Feb time period. End of Feb or early March will be the ideal weather in those cities for a D/N match.

 

Hope Covid cases are under control by then and we can have crowds for these matches.

[rkt.india]

5 hours ago, Gollum said:

Is it a gimmick or need of the hour? Unlike Aus, Eng, RSA, NZ we have a huge dew problem in the evening, saw that even against BD last year. As such pink ball tests negate spinners, added dew means spinners are totally out of the game. Unless we can somehow find a way to eliminate dew don't think it is a good idea. Best bet is play D/N tests only in Dec-Jan in places like Kolkata where sun sets by 4:30, maybe start the game at 11 and wrap things up by 6:30 evening. 

Pink ball test negates the spinners because pitches are usually green. Normal pitches, pink ball behaves nothing different than red ball.