After securing a resounding victory over Australia in Perth to take the lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, India now braces for what promises to be the most formidable hurdle of the series- a pink-ball Test at the iconic Adelaide Oval.

India faces day-night test challenge at Adelaide Oval

The second Test is slated to begin on Friday, December 6, 2024. In preparation, the Indian team will engage in a two-day pink-ball practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI, scheduled from November 30 to December 1, to acclimatize to the unique demands of playing under lights.

This Test marks a critical juncture in the series as India will aim to capitalize on its early momentum while overcoming the challenges posed by Australia’s expertise in Day-Night Tests, particularly at home. The Adelaide Oval, known for its distinct playing conditions under lights, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this high-stakes encounter.

India’s limited experience in day-night tests

India’s history with Day-Night Test cricket is brief but eventful, with only four pink-ball matches played since its inception into the format five years ago. Out of these, three were hosted on home soil, where the team exhibited outright dominance against Bangladesh, England and Sri Lanka. Playing in familiar conditions, India’s pacers and spinners exploited the evening sessions, utilizing the pink ball’s extra movement and grip to dismantle opposition line-ups effectively.

However, India’s sole overseas experience with the pink ball came in 2020 at the Adelaide Oval, a match that left an indelible mark on their Test cricket narrative. Despite starting strongly, their dramatic collapse in the second innings, where they were bowled out for just 36 – their lowest Test total – exposed their vulnerabilities under foreign lights. This defeat remains a sore memory and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of pink-ball cricket, particularly in alien conditions.

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India’s overall Pink-Ball record

Despite the Adelaide mishap, India’s overall record in Day-Night Tests is commendable, boasting a 75% win percentage. At home, India has mastered the art of pink-ball cricket, leveraging their strengths in both pace and spin. The seamers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, have consistently utilized the extra movement under lights to dismantle batting orders, while spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin have thrived with sharp turn during twilight sessions.

The success at home, nevertheless, is a stark contrast to their challenges away. Playing pink-ball cricket in conditions favoring swing and seam movement, coupled with Australia’s dominance at venues like Adelaide, has proven to be a tough nut to crack. India’s inability to secure an away victory in pink-ball Tests looms as a key area to address if they hope to strengthen their standing in the World Test Championship (WTC).

1. India vs Bangladesh (2019) – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

• India won by an innings and 46 runs.
• India’s first-ever Day-Night Test.
• Ishant Sharma took 9 wickets in the match.
• Virat Kohli scored a majestic 136, becoming the first Indian to score a century in a Pink Ball Test.

2. India vs Australia (2020) – Adelaide Oval

• India lost by 8 wickets.
• India recorded their lowest Test innings total (36/9 in the second innings).
• Bumrah and Ashwin bowled well in the first innings, restricting Australia to 191.
• Australia chased a modest target of 90 comfortably.

3. India vs England (2021) – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

• India won by 10 wickets.
• The match ended in two days, making it one of the shortest Tests in history.
• Axar Patel starred with 11 wickets in the match.
• England were bundled out for 112 and 81 across two innings.

4. India vs Sri Lanka (2022) – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

• India won by 238 runs.
• Shreyas Iyer scored 92 and 67 across two innings.
• Bumrah claimed 8 wickets in the match.
• India dominated both batting and bowling departments.

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