It's advantage batsmen with pink ball: Pragyan Ojha

Is India ready to host a day and night Test? The jury is still out on it. "Day and night Test cricket is the way forward. It is still a work in progress especially in India," former batsman VVS Laxman had remarked last week and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha echoed the sentiment.

"It's too early to say much about it. We played just one tournament (Duleep Trophy) in the country and much needs to be done to make it suitable for the conditions here," Ojha told ToI in a telephonic chat on Tuesday (October 4).

"The pink ball has to be improved so that there's right balance between bat and ball. As a spinner, I had found it very difficult to grip the ball in the first match.This meant that we were not able to spin the ball much and that was to the advantage of the batsmen," Ojha, who played for India Green in the Duleep Trophy earlier this season, said.

"Spin has been our strength and if spinners are not able to generate turn with the pink ball than that it is a cause for worry. The other thing is reverse swing which is another big factor on flat pitches here.

"The other problem was the dew factor, especially in the sub-continent. Hence, I feel there is still some time to go before we can play a day-night Test in India. The players need more exposure to the conditions and playing with pink ball. Even in Australia, a lot of matches were played on the domestic circuit before they played the historic first Test," he said and added that the pink ball should be modified so that it suits the conditions.

Speaking about his experience with the pink ball, he said: "It was a bit strange. The pink ball is quite different from the red one. But it was a good experience. The other thing was playing in white clothing under lights and having dinner at 6 p.m. It was a bit awkward and the first few days were uneasy. But was we got to play more, it turned out to be some fun."

At 30, is he still eyeing a comeback to the Indian team?

"Why not. Age is not a key factor but performance and form is. Last year Ashish Nehra made a comeback and now the selectors have recalled Gautam Gambhir, so I believe that if a player performs consistently then he will get a chance.

"It's a very long Test season at home and very important one for me too. I am working hard at my game and looking forward to do well and knock the Indian doors again," Ojha, who has played 24 Tests and bagged 113 wickets, said.

Ojha, who had suffered a freak accident during the Duleep Trophy, said he is fit for the season. "Luckily, there was no internal injury but only a concussion. I am fine now and physically fit."

The left-arm spinner says he wants to help Bengal win the Ranji Trophy this season."Last year we reached the quarters and this season I am looking at the title. Being part of a winning team is a great feeling and I want to do my part in realising our goal of winning the trophy."