Duleep Trophy: Yuvraj Singh 'very excited' to play his first pink-ball game

Greater Noida, Aug 23: Veteran cricketer Yuvraj Singh is 'very excited' to play his first-ever pink-ball match under floodlights and coloured clothing as India 'Red' is taking on Suresh Raina-led India 'Green' in Duleep Trophy opener on Tuesday (Aug 23).

Tournament schedule and teams

The left-handed batsman termed the new format of the game as an "exciting new challenge".

"It will be exciting and we expect pink ball to swing. Unless we are out there in the middle, it will be difficult to give a feedback. This match will also serve as a comeback opportunity for me as well as (Suresh) Raina. We all saw the Australia versus New Zealand encounter and how much the ball swung," Yuvraj said ahead of the Duleep Trophy match.

Rival captain Raina on his part said that this new stadium in NCR is known for good pitches as he has had the experience of playing a Ranji Trophy game against Baroda.

(Preview: Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina face off in historic Duleep Trophy pink-ball game)

"I had played a game against Baroda and the pitch was good," Raina said.

The players as well as the rival coaches -- WV Raman and Narendra Hirwani -- said that there has not been problems in sighting the pink ball even during the afternoon session.

However, with the practice pitches entirely different from the match strip which will have adequate grass cover to keep the shine of the pink kookaburra, it will be a completely different proposition in a match situation.

It will be interesting to watch how likes of Yuvraj, Raina, Gambhir cope with swing under lights which is the bone of contention for many. The Kookaburra ball has a record of swinging more during the twilight session.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)