Laxman reveals his thoughts on pink ball and DRS

Pink ball will not be used in Test cricket this home season, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India president Anurag Thakur .

When former cricketer VVS Laxman was asked about his views about cricket under lights with pink ball, he said, "It's a work in progress, especially in India where dew is a big factor. Also the ball they used in the Duleep Trophy was a different one to what they used in the New Zealand-Australia Test match in Adelaide.

"It is more about not losing the hardness and the shine because in India the wickets will not have that much of grass cover, even though the grounds are lush green and well-maintained.

"A lot of effort and time will go in making sure that the ball is right because any match should not be dictated by ball. They are trying to make sure that the seam is thicker compared to the match played in Adelaide," he added.

Why Indians are averse to DRS

Asked why Indians are averse to DRS, he said, "I am not convinced with the hawk-eye especially for the LBW decision. I am not convinced with that technology as yet.

"Because of that, BCCI too has got some kind of (objection) and is not allowing to execute it in a series where India is involved. There is a fixed mindset that

everyone is thinking that BCCI is intentionally not taking the DRS, but I feel the technology should be fool-proof," he explained.

The 41-year-old former cricketer also recalled the contribution made by ex-national coach John Wright, who was the first foreign coach to be appointed by the BCCI.

"Within the team the growing urge to become more competitive overseas came with the arrival of, in our coaching set up, John Wright, the first overseas coach of a national side. John was laid-back, but was also very demanding.

"He believed we had what he felt in terms of talent, mental fortitude, temperament and resolve to be a strong force outside our shores," he remarked.