Gautam Gambhir has backed the ICC’s decision to allow a pink ball under floodlights in certain red-ball Test matches that are disrupted by bad light, describing the move as “proactive” and “positive” because it can help teams avoid being robbed of a result. The India head coach made his comments while speaking ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh.
Key takeaways
- Gautam Gambhir called the ICC’s pink-ball-in-floodlights regulation a proactive and positive step.
- He argued that if a result is possible, teams should be given that opportunity rather than losing days to bad light.
- Gambhir highlighted the World Test Championship scenario where weather can affect qualification chances.
- He acknowledged the potential unfairness for players adapting mid-match, but said preserving outcomes matters more.
- The pink-ball switch is part of a trial and cannot be forced by umpires; both teams must consent before the match.
- The trial is designed to cut down delays and boost the likelihood of Tests ending with a result, especially when every WTC point carries weight.
Gambhir supports the pink-ball concept to protect results
Ahead of India’s lone Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, Gambhir said match officials and administrators should do everything within their control to ensure play reaches a conclusion, particularly when the competition is high stakes. Asked about the rule change, he said he has always believed that when there is an opportunity to secure a result, teams should have that chance.
He then framed the discussion through the lens of the World Test Championship, stressing how weather-related interruptions can swing qualification paths. Gambhir said the situation can become especially harsh in the final phase of the cycle, imagining a team playing the last Test before the WTC final—where a win or result could be crucial—only to lose the chance because of fading light.
While Gambhir accepted that altering conditions by switching from a red ball to a pink ball during a Test could create difficulties for players, he felt the broader goal should take priority. He pointed to the effort teams put in over a long period and argued that it would be equally unfair if a side were denied meaningful cricket days due to bad luck rather than performance.
Concluding his remarks on the regulation, Gambhir reiterated that it is a “proactive” initiative and expressed hope that teams would embrace the idea in a constructive manner.
Why he believes Test cricket can’t hinge on one player
Gambhir also dismissed the view that Test cricket can be “revived” by the impact of one individual or a small group of players. He said the importance of the format is shared across the entire group and that Test cricket does not depend on any single person to sustain itself.
He added that every player in the dressing room—current and future—wants to do well in Tests, reinforcing that the format’s relevance is maintained by collective commitment rather than individual brilliance.
Gambhir further underlined that each Test match should be treated as equally significant, regardless of the opponent or whether the World Test Championship scenario is directly involved. He noted that there are young players in the squad who should value every opportunity to play, pointing out that very few cricketers get to represent India in this format.
What the new ICC pink-ball rule actually allows
Under the ICC’s trial, the aim is to reduce time lost due to poor natural light. The regulation permits a change from the traditional red ball to a pink ball so that play can continue under floodlights when the match is interrupted by fading conditions.
However, umpires are not able to enforce the switch on their own. The decision must be agreed by both teams before the match begins. If poor light interrupts play and the venue has suitable floodlights, the pink ball can then be introduced to limit overs lost.
The trial is intended to lessen frustrating stoppages and improve the chances of Test matches producing results—an especially important objective in the modern World Test Championship structure, where every point can carry decisive consequences.
