Time to replace lifeless white ball with pink cherry in ODIs: Sunil Gavaskar

New Delhi: After 600+ runs were scored in the first of the five-match One-Day International matches between Australia and India two days ago, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has called to replace "nothing doing" white balls with pink cherries.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Gavaskar said that "The white does nothing for bowlers. I actually call it a 'nothing doing ball'... What could be interesting is that with the success of the pink ball it may (be) used in limited-overs cricket to even the balance between bat and ball."

The 66-year-old, however, felt that there should be enough experiment before the introduction of pink balls. He said that Indian Premier League could be also be used as a testing tournament.

"It needs to be experimented at domestic level. Maybe the IPL can have a few matches where they can experiment with the pink ball in the initial stages and see how it goes," the former opener added.

Pink ball was introduced in international cricket with much fanfare last November during the Australia-New Zealand Test series. Hosts Australia won the first ever Test match played under lights, with a pink ball, at the Adelaide Oval.

And ever since, the push to introduce the pink ball in limited overs has gained traction with Australia scheduling first-class matches under lights at three venues early next year.

Sheffield Shield matches at Adelaide, the Gabba in Brisbane and the WACA ground in Perth will be played under lights in the round starting Feb. 14 to continue refining the equipment.