India v England Pink ball - thoughts and predictions

[Samcric]

We have only a limited sample size of the India vs Bangladesh test match. But based on that, some important points:

• SG pink ball has a LOT of lacquer, so feels very heavy - painful (compared to red SG) to catch and creates more of a jarring when it hits the bat. Seamers who bowl real fast (Archer, Stone, Bumrah) will be most effective as the ball will zoom through the air. 
• Swing - here I am a little confused - it will obviously swing for the first 5-10 overs but there wasn't a lot of swing afterwards. This is my recollection from the match and happy to be corrected here if this was not the case. I would say India's biggest challenge will be Broad-Anderson-Archer (yes, I think all 3 will play) for the first 15-16 overs. If India escape with 40-1 after 15 overs, I will take it.
• Spin - This is where it really gets interesting. Because of the bounce and help in the pitch at Eden Gardens, Seamers took all the Bangladeshi wickets in the match. Jadeja and Ashwin bowled a total of 7 overs for no wickets and 32 runs. But with a less prominent seam due to the extra lacquer, it will be difficult to get much help. Bangladeshi spinners looked very ordinary. But Ahmedabad surface will possibly be more abrasive and may result in more help off the pitch. Also, black seam is harder to spot and Ashwin's variations may be harder to pick. But if English batsmen were given an option, they would perhaps prefer the Indian spinners bowling with the pink rather than the red SG ball.
• Batting - here, India clearly have an advantage. SG pink ball is a very different ball and Kohli has scored a century, Pujara & Rahane half-centuries. This experience with the bat will mean that India will begin with a better understanding of how to play. England will have a bit of catch up to do in terms of batting against the SG pink ball
• Bounce - Eden had a lot of bounce that helped seamers get a lot of wickets. If there is no bounce and swing becomes the main weapon, it would actually help England more than India. Indian pacers are more effective in places like Australia where bounce helps them. 

 

Overall, it seems like it will be a fascinating contest. Broad-Anderson-Archer Vs Bumrah-Ishant-Siraj. India may also decide to go with Shardul (or even Pandya if he can bowl) if they foresee not much help for the spinners with the SG pink ball. Also, if the surface is abrasive and lacquer does start to come off (Bangladesh didn't last beyond 40-odd overs in both innings), will be interesting to see how the ball behaves.

 

[mani sha]

Match will be over in two days 

the pitch will spin from day one 

not much swing 

not much reverse swing as ball stays fresher 

ishant and bumrah will match archer / anderson etc . 
 

hoping they take pandya in place of chinaman . Batting depth v v. Vital 

[New guy]

We will miss shami and yadav big time