What is the right colour of the ball to play with in your practice sessions?

Cricket is rapidly evolving, and it's more competitive than ever. For young cricketers aspiring to represent their nation, smart practice is crucial. Achieving optimum results requires a balance between quality and quantity, along with a focus on precision. One small yet impactful detail is the colour of the cricket ball used during practice.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

In this article by ZAP, we will understand the difference between the red, white and pink leather cricket balls and know which ball to include in your practice sessions. 

Understanding balls used in different Cricket Formats

Cricket is played in three main formats: T20, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Test matches. Each format uses different types of balls:

• T20 and ODIs: Use white balls.
• Test Matches: Use red or pink balls for day-night games.

Selecting the right ball for practice based on the format being focused on that day can provide a more realistic match scenario, your you an edge.

Differences in White, Red and Pink Cricket Balls

The most important difference for practice is match use and visibility. Red balls are traditional in daytime longer-format cricket, white balls are standard in ODIs and T20s, and pink balls are used for day-night Tests and selected longer-format matches.

Do not assume colour alone guarantees a specific amount of swing, seam or durability. Construction, lacquer and finishing vary by manufacturer, while movement also depends on seam condition, surface wear, bowler skill, weather and pitch conditions.

White Leather Cricket Ball

Use a white leather ball when preparing for limited-overs matches, especially if you want practice that closely resembles ODI or T20 visibility and fielding conditions.

Red Leather Cricket Ball

Use a red leather ball for traditional Test or first-class style preparation and for longer spells where you want to practise managing an ageing leather ball.

Pink Leather Cricket Ball

Use a pink ball when preparing for day-night or pink-ball longer-format cricket, particularly if training includes twilight or floodlight conditions.

Choosing the Right Ball for Practice

Selecting the appropriate ball for practice involves considering several factors:

• Format of the game: Choose the ball that matches the format you are preparing for.
• Match-like scenarios: Use the ball that replicates match conditions for better preparation.

Practice Focus for White Ball Cricket

• Hitting Drills: Focus on power-hitting and boundary-scoring techniques.
• Fielding Practice: Use white balls to simulate ODI and T20 fielding conditions.

Practice Focus for Red Ball Cricket

• Swing Practice: Work on batting and bowling with swing-focused drills.
• Endurance Sessions: Practice long-duration batting and bowling to build stamina.

Practice Focus for Pink Ball Cricket

• Adaptation: Practice under lights with pink cricket ball and try to adapt to the different type of pace and bounce it offers.
• Mixed Sessions: Combine red and pink ball sessions to adapt to both types of conditions.

Also Read: Cricket Batting Techniques | Cricket Bowling Techniques | Cricket Fielding Techniques

ZAP practice recommendation

Using Tennis Balls or Synthetic Wind Balls for Practice:

Often times, coaches at cricket academies advise young cricket players to start off with tennis balls or synthetic leather balls. These are good for beginners who are just beginning to learn batting, bowling, and fielding techniques. Synthetic balls or wind balls can emulate the seam position and weight of a proper leather ball but are safer to use in the beginning. 

Not just for beginners, a lot of intermediate and pro cricket players also use tennis balls in their batting drills. They are excellent for players to hone their skills and get even better at their craft.

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