Expensive Duleep Trophy pink balls get ‘VIP’ security at Noida stadium

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been very protective about the expensive pink balls which cost Rs 8000 per ball.

The Kookaburra pink cricket ball made its official debut in India at the Duleep Trophy. But handling the ball is tricky, not just for the batsmen and bowlers — the former struggling to cope with the swing and spin while the latter are learning how to control the movement. Even the administrators are finding it tricky to take care of the “VIP” balls.

At Rs 8,000, a Kookaburra pink ball is far more expensive compared to an SG Test ball, which costs Rs 1,200. (Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been very protective about the expensive pink balls which cost Rs 8000 per ball. The Board had imported a consignment of 20 dozen balls for the four Duleep Trophy matches between three teams and is worried about theft, and has dedicated extra manpower for the security of the pink cherry.

A Kookaburra pink ball is far more expensive compared to an SG Test ball (Rs 1200), and the BCCI is keeping an extra vigil.

Normally, the match referee handles the match balls but at the Greater Noida stadium, the BCCI has assigned a special official to keep the balls under his control in a secure room with 24-hour CCTV surveillance.

“These balls are very expensive. That is why we made this arrangement. Besides that, the match referee also audits balls following the day’s proceedings. We have given 12 pink balls each to the teams for their practice sessions,” explained a BCCI official.

The players will have to make a special request to the BCCI if they want to take home a pink ball as a souvenir.