Playing under lights is like playing in first session of a normal Test: Virat Kohli

Tags: England tour of India 2021, England, India, India vs England, 3rd Test at Ahmedabad, Feb 24-28, 2021, Virat Kohli

Published on: Feb 24, 2021

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After a week-long break, India and England will resume their rivalry when the face off in the pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad from Wednesday. The four-match series is currently locked 1-1. Most of the debate going into the third Test is how the pink ball will behave and also how the batsmen will tackle the twilight period. Discussions are also centering around whether India should go in with two or three spinners.

Speaking to the press at a virtual media conference ahead of the Test, Kohli admitted that batting would be challenging, especially under lights. He said, “It is much more challenging to play with the pink ball regardless of the pitch you play on. Especially in the evening, if as a batting team, you are starting your innings under lights then that one and a half hour is very challenging.”

“Yes, spin will come into play for sure but I don't think the new ball and fast bowlers can be ignored. The pink ball does bring them into the game till the ball is nice and shiny, something we are very well aware of and preparing accordingly,” he further added.

India have played one pink-ball Test in India before, against Bangladesh in Eden Gardens back in 2019. The most recent Day-Night Test they played in Adelaide turned out to be a disaster, as they were bowled out for 36. Reflecting on India’s experiences in the pink-ball Tests, the Indian captain said, "Last time we experienced that the first session is probably the nicest to bat when the sun is out and the ball doesn't do much. But when it starts to get dark, especially during that Twilight, it gets very tricky.

"The light changes, it's difficult to see the ball and then under lights, it is like playing the first session in the morning. In a normal Test match the ball does tend to swing a lot (in the morning). So, I think it's a reversal of roles and something that you need to adjust to quite quickly," he further said.

Kohli’s last century in international cricket came during the 2019 pink-ball Test against Bangladesh. He will be keen to break the drought.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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