Dravid worried about conditions for pink ball Test
Former India skipper says wrong execution initially can switch players off.
New Delhi: Former India captain Rahul Dravid says suitable conditions must be provided for a successful experiment of day-night Test cricket with pink ball, otherwise the cricketers may "switch off" from the new concept.
"One of the things we can't afford is we do the experiment without the right conditions and the players switch off from it. I think if it goes wrong initially you will find the players could switch off from it. We need to give it the best chance to succeed," Dravid said.
Dravid, eulogised as the Wall for his sound technique and footwork, said the new concept may bring more fans to stadiums.
"I would love to see a day-night Test match in India because very clearly there are grounds in this country where people don't come and watch. I think each country and each situation could be unique, we can't just say that because a Test match succeeded in Adelaide, it might not succeed in the winter in India because of the dew.
"I am glad we had this match in Kolkata and the Duleep Trophy will be played under lights," he said.
Australia and South Africa will play a day-night Test in Adelaide in November, and the West Indies have also agreed in principle to play one against Pakistan in UAE later this year.
Dravid said there maybe initial doubts about the concept but it will evolve with time.
"I think it's natural to be wary when you first start, it's stepping into the unknown a little bit. But as more and more matches are played, like we saw with the success of the Test in Adelaide, I think players will warm to the idea," Dravid told ESPN Cricinfo.
“But there are things that are different in every Test match in each and every country that you play in that are unique to that country and surface as well. So, I don't think that's something that should count as a negative."