‘Mental adjustments’ needed going into a Pink Ball Test: Bumrah

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India pacer Jasprit Bumrah said players need to make a few "mental adjustments" as they go into a Pink Ball Test. However, one cannot predefine any parameters as all three day-night Tests that we have played so far have had distinct conditions, he added. "As professional cricketers, we need to adjust as quickly as possible. The pink ball looks different while fielding. It comes earlier than what you perceive," Bumrah said during the pre-match virtual media interaction.


The stand-in vice-captain’s statement comes ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. India have played day-night Tests against Bangladesh, Australia, and England so far, and Bumrah said he believes the team is still learning how to go about the format.


"In the afternoon session, the ball may not swing much but in the evening, it can swing more, all these small points are being discussed. We have not played many pink ball matches and whatever we have played, they were all in different conditions, so no parameter can be set on the adjustments required,” the fast bowler said.


India will commence the second Test of the series against Sri Lanka tomorrow. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes Rohit & Co. will slot Axar Patel right into the playing XI as the third spin-bowling option. 


The slow-left-arm bowler has bagged as many as 36 wickets in his short Test career so far. While Pink Ball Tests have been conducive to fast bowling, and many would like to see Mohammed Siraj in the XI, Jaffer is of the opinion that Patel’s impact in his previous outings has been too good for him to not make it to the XI.


Earlier, India routed Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in Mohali, which was also Virat Kohli’s 100th Test. Newly appointed Test skipper, Rohit Sharma started his reign with a big win and will be looking to seal the series in Bengaluru.

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