India-Bangladesh to finally see Pink at Kolkata

November 22, 2019, is that momentous day when to of crickets biggest markets, India and Bangladesh battle it out in a Test match in arguably the most iconic venue in the sub-continent, the Eden Gardens. 

Kolkata has amazingly transformed itself into a city of pink ahead of the big day with tickets for the first four days of the Test match already sold out. 

It's an astounding achievement as the first Test went just shy of three full days and the pink ball is expected to provide more swing for the bowlers. 

India cricket board's new chief Sourav Ganguly has to be given credit for initially wanting the first day-night Test to happen at his hometown - a place with a predominantly Bengali speaking population and a bigger than average Bangladeshi following.

Credit also must be given to Ganguly and co for managing to create the hype around an event so fast and making sure the city treats the occasion due diligence. 

More advantage to the hosts

After an uber-dominant performance in the first Test from the Indians, their fast bowlers will be licking their lips at having the opportunity to bowl against the visiting batsman who have struggled to put up a fight. 

The technique and temperament of the top order batsmen has been called into question and rightfully so as they seemed almost unwilling to put up a fight against the Indian bowlers.

After 19 years in Test cricket, Bangladesh batsmen are still struggling to guts it out when there is swing and seam on the offing. 

The margin for the innings and 130-run victory could have been greater if India hadn't dropped so many catches in their first bowling innings and if their senior batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had also gotten into the act with some big scores. 

Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma and co must be delighted at the opportunity to display once again their newfound pace-prowess especially against opponents that don't like playing swing and pace.

Things would get especially tough in the twilight period where the colour of the ball can turn orangish and become difficult for the batsmen to see, and that would most likely be in the second session of each day. 

Team news

India had most bases covered in the first Test and might well stick with the same XI that beat Bangladesh by an innings and 130 runs. 

However, they might want to go in with an extra seamer, given the expected seamer-friendly conditions and Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja might make way.

India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Mayank Agarwal, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 9 R Ashwin, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Mohammed Shami

Bangladesh are likely to bring in Mustafizur Rahman and Al-Amin Hossain in place of Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain as both players had indifferent games in the first Test. 

They don't have any reserve batsmen to bring into the line-up, although indications are that Mushfiqur Rahim will go back up to the No. 4 position.

Imrul Kayes, who will be fighting for his Test career, should get one last chance as opener Saif Hassan got injured taking a catch and injuring his had in the first Test as a substitute fielder.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque (capt), 4 Mushfiqur Rahim, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Mohammad Mithun, 7 Liton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan, 9 Taijul Islam/Mustafizur Rahman, 10 Abu Jayed, 11 Ebadat Hossain/Al-Amin Hossain

Pitch and conditions

The conditions are expected to aide fast bowling with a greenish tinge on the pitch and a lush-green outfield - both done to make the visibility of the pink ball better.

If the ball gets scuffed up too much, the result could lead to a ball that is not as visible, especially under lights.

That's partly why seam bowlers have bowled twice as many overs and picked up nearly three times as many wickets as spinners in this version of Test cricket. 

That could be a tricky time for the batsmen in both teams.

The weather is set fair for all five days of the game but given how much the pink ball might help the bowlers, it's difficult to see the game going the whole five days.