BENGALURU: India are just three matches old in pink-ball Tests and vice-captain
Jasprit Bumrah stressed on the need to make mental adjustments while playing day-night matches in the five-day format.
Bumrah, who has played two of the three pink-ball contests, said, "We are playing the
pink-ball Test
after a long time. We are still very new to this format, we need to make a lot of mental adjustments. Whatever we have played, they were all in different conditions, so no parameter can be set. Whatever little experience you have gathered and the feedback you have taken, you work on things that are under your control."
On Friday, during practice under lights, India players were seen trying to familiarise themselves with the conditions, especially during fielding, and had an extended session.
With the weather dry and no dew, gauging swing or seam will pose a challenge as will batting in the final session of play. The pace ace pointed out that adaptability and reading the situation would be crucial.
"As professional cricketers, it's our job to adjust as quickly as possible. Pink ball appears differently while fielding. It comes to you faster than you can imagine. (In) the morning session of a (day) Test, the ball swings a lot, here it may be the opposite. "We start in the afternoon when the ball does not do much, while in the night it does more. These small pointers are a lot and we need to work on these things."
On the return of spinner
Axar Patel,
Bumrah said, "Axar has added a lot of value. He offers a lot with the bat, ball and while fielding. Whenever he is fit, he jumps straight back into the team."