IND vs ENG: Monty Panesar – England will have advantage if the pink-ball starts to swing and seam
Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels that England will be in an advantageous position if the pink ball starts to swing and seam during the much-awaited Day/Night Test at the revamped Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India’s first outing in an overseas pink-ball Test match ended in a disaster, with the Virat Kohli-led side being bundled out for just 36 runs in Adelaide, in turn suffering a shambolic defeat.
In the past, however, India had hosted only one Day/Night Test, against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens, where the conditions sided the Indian bowlers to script a victory.
With the series tied 1-1, the new Motera stadium is set to stage the third Test, a Day/Night one, with the players hardly aware of how the pitch is going to behave or how much the pink-ball is going to offer for the bowlers.
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Former England spinner and a part of their Test series-winning squad during their India tour back in 2012, Monty Panesar reckoned that if the pink-ball starts to swing and seam, it is going to help the visitors.
“Probably, the pitch will turn a little bit. Obviously, India is going to play to their strengths. But, there is the post-dinner session when the pink ball swings and seams a lot. I think that plays into the hands of the England team. If the ball starts swinging and seaming a little bit, I think England have got a great chance of winning this Test,” said Monty Panesar, to TOI.
The pink ball is going to swing and seam at some stage, claims Monty Panesar
As per the retired English cricketer, the pink-ball is going to swing and seam at some point in time, unlike the red one. He feels that pink-ball has the capability to negate India’s home advantage, especially with England possessing a great fast bowling line-up.
“The pink ball is going to swing and seam at some stage. It is not like the red ball. The pink ball moves in the air, it reverses. This pink ball neutralises India’s home advantage. The question is: whether this Indian team can hold their nerve when the ball moves in the air or reverses and not panic?” added the former cricketer.