The conventional swing is less: Vasu

For the bowlers, it’s not quite ‘Pretty in Pink.’

They have, on occasions, struggled with the pink ball in the ongoing Duleep Trophy and India Red coach D. Vasu did not hold back his views here on Monday.

He said, “You cannot naturally shine the ball because it has an artificial coating. The red ball has a natural sheen.”

Vasu added, “The conventional swing is less, happens only in the first six overs, and there is no reverse swing for the pacemen because of the coating. The pink ball does not naturally get older.”

Tough for spinners too

Not just the pacemen, the spinners have found the going tough as well. Vasu said, “The seam gets depressed after about 30 overs and the spinners struggle to grip the ball. It helps the spinners only in the first 30 overs when the ball is harder.”

Vasu revealed, “I have already sent a report to the Board. And I have gathered the views of several cricketers. The BCCI will further seek the opinion of the players before taking a decision.”

The former South Zone all-rounder said, “Kookaburra needs to put in some work on the ball. The pink ball does not endure like the SG or the Duke.”

Vasu said, “Earlier the pink ball used to lose its colour and get darker making it difficult for the batsmen to sight.

“Kookaburra subsequently could have given it an artificial coating to stop it from losing colour.”

Vasu said, “But the day/night concept is good. It attracts crowds.”

India Red captain Abhinav Mukund said, “I am not sure if the pink ball is suited for the Indian conditions. It does very little after 50 overs for both the pacemen and the spinners.”

The pink ball faces an uncertain future in Indian cricket.