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What Is The Difference Between Red And Pink Ball In Tests? Indian Cricketers Explain

Poulomi Chakraborty

The Indian Team With Australian Prime Minister (Source: @PANDITABHA16847/x.com)The Indian Team With Australian Prime Minister (Source: @PANDITABHA16847/x.com)

After crushing the mighty Australian side with a massive 295-run defeat, Team India is all set for the second test, but the second match is going to be extra special as it will be covered with some pink glory. India and Australia are all set to face each other in the pink ball Test match. Adelaide is all set to host the thrilling match.

The second Test match between India and Australia will be a day-night one, and the pink ball format adds some extra flavour. Before playing that, India faces Australia’s Prime Minister XI in a two-day pink ball practice match to cope with the format. Ahead of the Test match, the Indian pacers explained how the pink ball is going to be different from the rest.

Pacers Explained the ‘Pink Ball’ Challenges

Before facing each other in the Adelaide Test, the Indian team is all set to play a two-day practice match against the Australia Prime Minister XI. As the match has been delayed due to rain interruption, BCCI shared a video where the Indian pacers explained how the challenges of the pink ball are different from the red ball.


“It’s slightly bigger than the red one. The seam is dyed black, which makes it heavier and a lot more pronounced. It does give a lot more off the seam. It means it’s going to do a little more than the red ball in terms of shine and also when the lights come on and takes away the reserve swing.” Prasidh Krishna Said.

“The seam isn’t visible that easily. Some batters see the shine off the ball and play it accordingly. But you can’t see it easily on the pink ball.” Mukesh Kumar said.

What Are the Views of Akash Deep and Yash Dayal?

Team India doesn’t play with the pink ball regularly. Before the upcoming Adelaide Test, they played four pink ball matches, they won three out of them. The last time when the Indian side played a pink ball game against Australia, they faced a heartbreaking 8-wicket defeat. Usually, the pink ball is the heavier one and doesn’t offer the swing. Along with Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar, the other two pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal also shared their view on the pink ball.

“It skids a lot more and bounces a bit more as well. The biggest thing, however, is the amount of time the ball remains new. Usually, the red ball gets old after 5 or 10 overs; that isn’t the case with the pink ball.” Akash Deep said.


“What I realized after bowling to Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma) bhaiya in the nets is that the pink ball isn’t swinging much and you have to maintain your seam position. If you pitch the ball in the right places, it’s moving quite a bit from the surface, which is a benefit.” Dayal said.

India will face a stern Test on December 6 as they'll collide against Australia in a riveting Pink-Ball Test and it will also be a big test for the skills of the Indian bowlers.