Mohali won't be using floodlights

The Punjab Cricket Association has confirmed that floodlights will not be turned on at the PCA Stadium in Mohali in case bad light threatens to disrupt the second Test between India and England. The forecast in Mohali for the first three days of the Test is overcast and cloudy, with fog and bad light already a common feature at this time of the year in northern India.

MP Pandove, the PCA secretary, said that like in the recent ODI between India and England in Kanpur, the lights would not be used because of a prior agreement. "We sent a proposal to the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the use of floodlights in case of bad light," Pandove told PTI. "But both the teams have agreed to natural playing conditions."

Pandove said a proposal to start play 30 minutes earlier had also been rejected. "In winter months daylight fades quite quickly here. We had asked for the scheduled start of play to be advanced, but the teams have preferred to stick to the original time."

IS Bindra, the PCA president, was wary of the Test being limited. "Instead of having five days of cricket with 450 overs, we are going to short-change the public by about 75 overs," he said "And if there is rain — there is a 10% chance of rain on two of the days — the game is going to be further curtailed."