India are a powerhouse in cricket, having reached the finals in both cycles of the Test Championship. With the Test series against India set to begin on September 19, Bangladesh is understandably anxious, especially since they will be playing on foreign soil. As a result, the Bangladesh team is undergoing intense training at Mirpur's Home of Cricket. After a clean sweep against Pakistan, the team is keen to perform well in India too.
However, a new challenge awaits Bangladesh in India: the relatively unfamiliar SG ball. Bangladesh is typically accustomed to playing with the Kookaburra ball, which they use in their home series. They also used the Kookaburra ball in the series against Pakistan, enjoying their game on the Rawalpindi pitch.
During a press conference in Mirpur on Tuesday, Litton Kumar Das spoke about the SG ball, saying, "India is a big team, and we rarely play with this ball. Our players are working very hard; let's see what happens. In terms of preparation, we are facing our best bowlers. It's somewhat challenging. If you look at it, playing with a new Kookaburra ball is tough, but it gets easier with the old ball. Conversely, with the SG ball, playing with the new ball is easier, but it becomes difficult with the old ball."
India uses the SG ball, made in their own country, for their home series. The SG ball differs slightly from the Kookaburra. It has a more pronounced seam and is somewhat heavier. Maintaining the ball's shine is also more challenging, requiring extra care from the fielders. Another significant feature of the SG ball is its swing. While it may not swing much at the start of an innings, it begins to swing after 5-6 overs.
Typically, Kookaburra balls are bright in colour, providing extra swing for pacers from the start of the match. Once the ball gets older, it becomes easier for batters. This was a key reason why Liton and Miraz could play comfortably after Bangladesh lost six wickets for 26 runs in Rawalpindi.
On the other hand, the SG ball is somewhat darker, making pacers wait longer for swing. This difference poses a tough challenge for both bowlers and batters. Therefore, during their training sessions in Mirpur, Bangladesh's bowlers are sweating it out with the SG ball.
Earlier, while discussing the team's preparations with BCB media, Shariful Islam also mentioned the SG ball, saying, "Our preparation is going well, and we will improve further. Since the ball is a factor, we are used to playing with the Kookaburra, but now we will play with the SG. The better we adapt to it, the better it will be for us."
