Since the introduction of day-night Test matches in 2015, India have played three pink-ball Tests in India so far.
While the first-ever pink-ball Test was played by Trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in 2015, a Virat Kohli-led India made their pink-ball Test debut against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2019.
A year later, in December, India played their first pink-ball Test away from home in Australia. The visitors lost the Test at Adelaide Oval by eight wickets after registering their lowest ever Test total of 36 in the second innings of the match.
Since then, India have played two more pink-ball Tests against England in Ahmedabad and versus Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.
Let’s have a detailed look at these pink-ball Tests in India:
India’s first pink-ball Test versus Bangladesh
India hosted Bangladesh for their first-ever pink-ball Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2019.
After beating Bangladesh by an innings and 130 runs in the first Test at Holkar Stadium in Indore, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in Kolkata.
Ishant Sharma’s incredible five-wicket haul helped India bowl out Bangladesh for just 106 runs in their first innings.
In reply, the hosts rode on Virat Kohli’s 27th Test ton to post 347/9d in their first innings. Kohli scored 136 runs which included 18 fours. It was his 70th hundred in his career.
In the second innings, Bangladesh could only manage 195 as India won the match by an innings and 46 runs. Umesh Yadav scalped five wickets for the hosts, while Ishant bagged four more to end the game with nine wickets in his kitty.
Pink-ball Test against England in Ahmedabad
India played their second pink-ball Test in India and third overall against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in 2021.
After India bounced back to level four-match Test series 1-1 in India, England opted to bat first after winning the toss in the third Test in Ahmedabad.
The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals as they were skittled out for 112 in their first innings. Axar Patel claimed six wickets for 38 runs to wreak havoc over the England batting order.
In response, India rode on Rohit Sharma’s 66 to post just 145 in their first innings. England captain Joe Root was the wrecker-in-chief for the Three Lions as he bagged five wickets for just eight runs.
In the second innings as well, England showed little resistance as they fell like a pack of cards, bundling out for just 81.
India’s opening batters Rohit Sharma (25) and Shubman Gill (15) chased down the target of 49 with ease.
India’s pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru
India are currently playing Sri Lanka in the second Test of the two-match series at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
After electing to bat first, India rode on Shreyas Iyer’s swashbuckling 92 to post 252 on a spin-friendly pitch in their first innings.
Rohit Sharma-led India have taken a 1-0 lead in the series after beating Sri Lanka in the first Test by an innings and 222 runs in Mohali.
Featured photo: AFP/ Sajjad HUSSAIN / Dibyangshu SARKAR
