In order to raise the ever dwindling number of spectators in the stadium, the BCCI is all set to host its first-ever D/N cricket Test with pink ball when NZ tour India later this year.
"We have decided that we will play one Day/Night Test match with pink ball against New Zealand later this year. Before that Duleep Trophy will act as a dress rehearsal for the Day/Night Test match," Anurag Thakur said.
Thakur said that the main objective of the Duleep Trophy will be to check how the pink kookaburra behaves under the light. "While we have not zeroed in on the venue, there are lots of factors that need to be taken into account. Things like dew factor, how the spinners bowl with the pink kookaburra on Indian pitches. These things we will get an idea during the Duleep Trophy," said Thakur.
It is expected that all leading Indian players will play in that Duleep game in order to get an idea and also give a feedback to the board before they go ahead with the Test match.