Really excited about pink ball cricket, says Rahane

Star batsman Ajinkya Rahane has joined the chorus of pink-ball supporters, saying that he is excited and keen to try it out in the Duleep Trophy, which will be played as a day-night tournament this season.

"I am really excited about this pink ball. A long time back, I think, in an emerging players tournament we played with a pink ball, we played with fluorescent, green ball," Rahane was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

"But that was a different company -- we played with Platypus ball then, but this Kookaburra is different and we will get an idea in the Duleep Trophy as to how it is behaving, what the bounce is like."

"I saw this club match Mohun Bagan versus Bhowanipore on TV. The ball was doing a bit, swinging more than red ball, bounce was slightly more than red ball, but once we play, once we practice with that, then only we will get an idea of how to go about it."

Rahane also gave thumbs up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) technical committee's recommendation to play Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues.

While some former players, coaches and administrators have expressed reservations over the suggestion, Rahane said playing at neutral centres would help players become mentally tougher.

"I think the decision which BCCI made is really good. It is challenging when you play at neutral venues. Players will learn about their game, they will get to know how to go about it," he said.

"You are actually thinking more about your game, your preparation will be more and your strategies before the game will be slightly different. Because, when you play home games, you know your home conditions, but when you play neutral games I think players will get mentally tougher," the right-handed batsman said.

--IANS

ac/tri/vt