Use of pink ball in bad light a proactive move: Gambhir

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) trial to switch from a red ball to a pink ball during a Test in the case of bad light affecting play. The agreement of both teams before a Test is required for the change to be effected.

The decision was one of the recommendations of the Chief Executives Committee that was approved by the ICC Board at a meeting in Ahmedabad last Sunday. India has so far played five Tests with the pink ball, which is used exclusively for day-night matches.

With making the World Test Championship final being a big incentive in the five-day game, Gambhir said he wouldn’t want his team to be deprived of that opportunity owing to bad light.

“I love that. I’ve always believed that if there’s an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity,” Gambhir said. “Imagine if you’re playing the last Test before the WTC final and you have the chance to win that Test and qualify, but because of bad light it’s not happening. I know it could be a little difficult for the players. But it’s a proactive move. And hopefully the teams will start taking it in a positive way.”