Anil Kumble: Long way to go for pink ball Tests

Indian cricket team coach Anil Kumble stressed that the focus remains on the upcoming tour of the West Indies and that the preparations are in full-swing as they gear up for the long series. When asked how his spinners would fare using the pink Kookaburra ball on sub-continental pitches, Kumble was stern to assert that the focus currently is only on the tour of West Indies. He added that the since they will be playing with the ‘red Dukes’ ball in the Caribbeans, preparation and practice has gone in using the red ball only.

The Indian cricket team recently landed in the West Indies looking in a relaxed mood:

Read: Full schedule of India’s tour of the West Indies; India’s final squad for the series

It certainly belied the stern preparation that has gone in for the upcoming series. Kumble adds that the team only practiced with red ball in the 6 day preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. "We haven't really thought about pink ball yet as far as I know. It's still a long way. We will be playing with Dukes red ball in the West Indies. I would like to take one match at a time. The West Indies series is important for us. We have practised (at NCA Bengaluru) for last six days with red Dukes. Once we start looking at pink ball, we will start looking at it” The Indian coach had said during his recent #AskTheCoach session on Twitter.

The Chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee also gave his vote of confidence for day-night Test cricket, saying that it is the right way forward. He says that day-night Tests would be the best way to get the crowds back in to watch Tests, and that should always be the focus. "I would certainly back day-night cricket. Anything we need to do to get crowd back to Test cricket... At least that is the future. In Day/Night matches, people can come into the stadium after office hours," Kumble said on the matter.