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After consulting with the senior batters and training in the nets, he has discovered that the pink ball comes at a quicker pace and hits the hands harder while fielding.
![KL Rahul training with the pink ball [Photo: KL Rahul / X]](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2021/07/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&width=360&height=270 "KL Rahul training with the pink ball [Photo: KL Rahul / X]"){kind=logo}
KL Rahul training with the pink ball [Photo: KL Rahul / X]
India have played four pink-ball Test matches but Rahul hasn’t been a part of them. Comes the fifth one, against Australia in Adelaide, and it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind challenge for him. Rahul showcased a brilliant approach in Perth where India registered a 295-run win against the Australians to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
After consulting with the senior batters and training in the nets, he has discovered that the pink ball comes at a quicker pace and hits the hands harder while fielding. However, it’s yet to be seen how he deals with it under the lights when the action begins on Friday.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Rahul shared his observations about the pink ball so far.
“The ball seems a bit harder than the red ball and while fielding also, you can feel the ball hits your hands a lot quicker and harder,” Rahul told media.
“Same with batting, it seems to get to you much quicker than the red ball and does seam around a bit more than the red ball. That’s the challenge we are looking forward to. Since this is my first pink-ball game I am going in with a clean slate, go there and see what comes my way,” he added.
“If you look at the pink ball, it tells you that it hasn’t lasted a long time and there will be a lot of help for the fast bowlers and that we had in Perth on day one also, a lot of seam movement.”
Asked what is the best way to play the pink ball, Rahul had a straight answer.
“Whatever players prefer. Picking the ball from the hand is tricky for some of the boys. Getting used to seeing the ball from someone’s hand is step one for a batter. And then you give yourself the best chance to react and be in good positions. That’s what batters have been speaking about,” Rahul said.
Rahul has been speaking to the likes of Virat Kohli and others, who have played India’s four pink-ball games – three at home and one in Adelaide in 2021.
“I don’t have much game experience like some of the others who played so far. I am speaking to the guys to try and understand what were the things they found hard and if there were any changes,” he added.
(With Agency Inputs)
- Location :
Adelaide, Perth
