India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Bengaluru ready for pink hue

Chinnaswamy stadium, it was the first time that this variant of SG balls was being used at the venue. Preparations for the first Day/Night Test match here, only the third in India, were on in full swing as the home team, which came in after Sri Lanka finished their afternoon session, hit the ground running.

Read AlsoIndia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: No dew at Chinnaswamy stadium adds to intrigue

There is an air of excitement and expectancy at the M Chinnaswamy stadium. The venue is being decked up to host its maiden day-night Test match, starting this weekend. The second Test between India and Sri Lanka will be the third D/N Test in India since Kolkata hosted the maiden contest in November

While India will start firm favourites on the field, off it, there are many interesting sub-texts lending spice to the occasion. On Wednesday evening, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath were seen walking into the stadium one after the other. It brought back memories of the day 26 years ago, when India won the World Cup quarterfinals against Pakistan at the Chinnaswamy stadium which was hosting its maiden D/N contest. While Dravid hadn't made the cut, Srinath was at the peak of his career.

Virat Kohli (foreground) trains as, Vikram Rathour, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Dravid interact during a training session in Bengaluru. (AP Photo)A decade and a half later, Dravid returns to his home turf in a new role as head coach, having played his last Test here in October 2010 against Australia. Srinath will be the match referee in the first pink-ball Test to be hosted by his home association. Add to it opener Mayank Agarwal. Twenty Tests young since his debut at the MCG in December 2018, he is set to play his maiden international at his