Yuvraj Singh remains unsure about the pink-ball's viability on turning tracks

Whilst claiming that the pink-ball did not swing extravagantly thus far, India ‘Red’ captain Yuvraj Singh has advocated putting the experiment to work on a turning pitch for the Duleep Trophy final in Greater Noida. Speaking to reporters ahead of the summit clash against the Gautam Gambhir-led India ‘Blue’, the 34-year old however admitted to the difficulty of picking up wrist-spinner under lights.

Yuvraj enthused, “I honestly felt that the pink ball didn’t swing much and didn’t get old. It was coming on to the bat very nicely. I don’t know how it is going to play on a turning track. Hopefully, this wicket might turn. You will see how the pink ball behaves on this wicket so we have to see for this match.”

With the top wicket-takers being Shreyas Gopal and Kuldeep Yadav, the stylish left-hander attributed the fruitful tournament for wrist-spin to the pink-ball skidding due to dewy conditions.

He affirmed, “I felt that picking a wrist spinner is a bit difficult. I realized when I was standing in the slips that batsmen were actually struggling to pick the wrist spinner (Yadav). I felt that pink ball didn’t swing as much as the red ball does when it has shine. As I said how much it will spin on a turning track, wrist spinner will obviously get help from the pink ball you will only know after the match.”

“There is less turn for finger spinners and the glaze is like old Sonnex balls (which was used in Ranji Trophy in the 80s). Whatever happens, it happens for the wrist spinners and that too under lights. The dew also helps the ball to skid.”

After being dismissed for just 161 on the opening day of the tournament, India ‘Red’ managed to defeat the Suresh Raina-led India ‘Green’ by a massive margin. With rain playing spoilsport in their group match against India ‘Blue’, Yuvraj believed that the five-day final will be a competitive encounter.

The veteran felt, “You have another day. To turn things around and you have another to win an outright game. In five-day, you have an advantage you can always bounce back. I think it’s a very important game for everyone looking forward to it.”