India likely to play their first ever day-night test match in Adelaide this year

Day-night test matches are gaining in popularity these days, as the recently held test match between Australia and England drew a record crowd at the Adelaide Oval.

The sessions played at night give an added dimension to the matches, as the pink ball generates a lot of swing and movement under the lights.

South Africa recently played against Zimbabwe at night, as day-night test matches are slowly but surely getting accepted by the cricket playing nations around the world.

India though are apprehensive against this, as they have not yet responded positively towards playing test matches under lights. While there has been a definite reduction in the attendance for test matches, playing under lights is expected to bring people back into the stadiums.

ICC is hoping that all test playing nations will eventually come on board for day-night test matches, as it is expected to be the future for the longest format of the game.

This is what Cricket Australia chief executive, James Sutherland had to say,

“I would anticipate there’s not going to be too much problem there,” Sutherland said in an interview ABC radio.

“As we’ve discussed at ICC (International Cricket Council) level, it’s very much in the hands of the home country to make judgments on what they think is best.

“Certainly it’s pretty well telegraphed that from our perspective we’d be playing at least one day-night test match every summer.”

“Certainly India, we would expect to draw a bigger crowd,” Sutherland added.

“It’s not all about that, it’s also about how it fits, there’s considerations like weather in different parts of the country at different times of the year.

“They’re all the things we need to balance and make a call on over the course of the next few weeks before announcing that final schedule.”

Virat Kohli’s men will travel to Australia at the end of year, as they will play four test matches at Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

The news of India playing it’s first day-night test match will definitely generate interest among players and fans, as it would be something new and exciting for everyone involved.

Watch this space for more!