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

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.

Discover more
Top Stories
news

ICC Women's CWC 2022 | SA-W vs PAK-W: South Africa hold nerves to clinch win in close encounter

Courtesy some exceptional bowling performance in the middle and final overs of play, South Africa clinched a 6-run win against Pakistan in the on-going ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 fixture in Mount Maunganui. Chasing 224, Pakistan lost a couple of early wickets and were 26/2 when Nahida Khan and Omaima Sohail joined hands to provide the resistance to the side. The two batters chipped in with a partnership of 69 runs for the second wicket before Nahida was eventually trapped in front of the stumps by Ayabonga Khaka for 40 off 71. Omaima was then joined by Nida Dar and they began the rescue operation for the team. Both the batters looked pretty steady at one stage. But South Africa broke the shackles at the end of the 38th over when Omaima played one in the air and was caught by Lee off Masabata Klaas for 65 off 104. The Asian side began to lose wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 213/8 in the 49th over before eventually getting bundled out for 217. Needing 10 off the final over, Pakistan could only manage to get three from the over. Shabnim Ismail picked up three wickets for 41 in 9.5 overs while Kapp and Khaka had two wickets each. Earlier, in the day, Pakistan unveiled a good performance in the field as they took some good catches to restrict South Africa to 223/9 in 50 overs. Pakistan picked up two early wickets but Wolvaardt and Luus steadied the ship for the side with a partnership of 89 runs for the third wicket. But Wolvaardt’s departure was then followed by a few wickets reducing the side to 120/5 in 32 overs. It was Luus’ 62 off 102 balls and some valuable contributions from Tryon and Chetty that helped South Africa put some score on the board. Fatima Sana and Fatima bagged three wickets apiece for their side. “You got to love the World Cup game, no game is easy. We can take the positives out of the two wins and try and see what we need to work on going ahead. We take it one game at a time and want to play our best cricket,” Luus said after the match.

news

PAK vs AUS | 2nd Test: After Rawalpindi pitch fiasco, focus shifts to Karachi & 'result'

It was a run feast during the first Test between Pakistan and Australia in Rawalpindi as the two teams together amassed more than 1100 runs during the course of the match before it ended in a draw. The Australian bowling unit was frustrated a bit more as they could only manage to pick 4 wickets and that too only in the first innings. The Test consisted of almost everything, runs, rain, centuries except the wickets & a result. The pitch at the Rawalpindi stadium received a lot of criticism as it certainly had nothing on offer for the bowlers. In fact, the track has now been rated as "below average", and the venue also received a demerit point. "The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days and that there has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. The pitch did not have a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers nor assisted the spinners as the match progressed. In my view this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball. Therefore, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average," Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle stated in his match report. Well, all said and done, the action now shifts to Karachi where the two sides will lock horns with each other in the second Test, scheduled to begin from March 12, 2022. Match Details Match: Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd of three Tests Date: 12 March 2022 Time: 10:30 AM IST Venue: National Stadium, Karachi Telecast: Sony Sports Network Pitch Report The track in Karachi could assist the batters but it is expected to have something on offer for the spinners as the game progresses. With some quality spinners in both the line ups, we can expect a result in this clash. But for now, if you win the toss, bat first. Team News Australia: Australia have roped in Mitchell Swepson in the XI and the spinner will be making his Test debut for Australia. “He’s pumped and to be honest, we’re all pumped for ‘Swepo’. It’s been a long time running drinks over the last couple of years, but he’s absolutely ready,” said Cummins. “He’s been a huge part of the squad, even though he hasn’t been playing. So we’re really excited to see him get a chance. The wicket here is a little bit drier and historically a bit friendlier for the spinners,” added Cummins. Pakistan: Faheem Ashraf has been ruled out of the second Test. As per ESPNcricinfo's report, the all-rounder tested positive for Covid-19. But the Pakistan batters are in terrific form, with Imam-ul-Haq scoring twin tons in the first encounter while Azhar Ali notching up a century in the first innings and Abdullah Shafique in the second. Nauman Ali was the pick of the bowlers for the side after he scalped six wickets in the first innings. Probable XI Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Swepson, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi Fantasy XI Alex Carey, Mohammad Rizwan, David Warner, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Marnus Labuschagne (VC), Pat Cummins, Shaheen Afridi (C), Mitchell Swepson