New Delhi: With each day passing, excitement continues to increase for the day-night Test between India and Australia scheduled at the Adelaide Oval. The match is being highlighted as it will be played with a pink ball rather than the traditional red ball. The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on December 6 and it will be interesting to watch out how the Indian team fares against this major change.
India’s last outing in Adelaide was a horror show as the team recorded the infamous 36 all-out during the 2020-21 BGT series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. The team would look to make amends as they return to the same venue after four years. India recently played a warm-up match against Australia Prime Minister’s XI with the pink ball to get prepared for the five-day affair awaiting them in Adelaide.
In the practice game, India emerged victorious by six wickets, giving the Indian fans a hint that they won’t be repeating the same mistake. However, if ignoring the 2020 Adelaide pink-ball Test, India’s record in the pink-ball day-night games is quite well. The team has only played four day-night Tests, the first in 2019 and the final in 2022. Other than the Adelaide Test, India played the other three pink-ball Tests at home.
India’s record in pink-ball Tests
India’s record in pink-ball Tests currently stands 3-1, having won three and lost one. Here’s an in-depth look.
India vs Bangladesh (Kolkata, 2019)
India made their pink-ball Test debut in Kolkata when taking on Bangladesh in the second and last Test of the series. Batting first, Bangladesh scored only 106 before being bundled out. India responded with 347/9 on the back of skipper Kohli’s 136, before declaring. Bangladesh were again bowled out in the second innings, on 195 as India won the game by an innings and 46 runs.
India vs Australia (Adelaide, 2020)
No true Indian Test cricket fan will ever want to remember what went into the game as despite a decent start, India faltered and lost the pink-ball Test by eight wickets. Batting first, India made 244 on the back of Kohli’s 74. Australia responded with 191 and when India were required to capitalise on the lead acquired, they were all out for a paltry 36 in the second essay.
India vs England (Ahmedabad, 2021)
While facing off England at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the hosts wrapped up the Englishmen for a meagre 112. However, India’s performance in the first innings wasn’t great as well, as they made 145 before being bundled out. England weren’t able to capitalise on the little lead and were dismissed for just 81 and India eventually clinched the day-night pink-ball Test by 10 wickets.
India vs Sri Lanka (Bengaluru, 2022)
India’s last triumph in a pink-ball Test came against Sri Lanka while taking on the island nation in the second and last Test of the series. Playing in Bengaluru, India scored 252 on the back of Shreyas Iyer’s 92. The opponents replied with just 109 before India returned to bat and added 303 runs to their lead. Rishabh Pant and Iyer hit fifties as Sri Lanka could just make 208 in the second essay and lost the match by 238 runs.
Team India has only played four Tests with pink ball so far and will be making their fifth day-night outing when they take on Australia in Adelaide from December 6. Here’s a look at India’s pink-ball record. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
