Border Gavaskar Trophy: Team India still under pressure playing the pink ball Test match?

As Rohit Sharma's Team India gears up for a day-night Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on December 6, the team's journey with the pink ball has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. From landmark beginnings to exhilarating victories, India's experiences in day-night Tests have been marked by historic moments and intense emotions. India's tryst with the pink ball began in November 2019 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata during a Test against Bangladesh. Under the leadership of then-captain Virat Kohli, the team made an emphatic statement in their inaugural day-night Test. Kohli etched his name in the history books as the first Indian batter to score a century in such a game, showcasing his class under the lights.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: How was been India's journey with the pink ball?

The match was equally remarkable for the bowlers. Ishant Sharma emerged as the star, spearheading the attack with nine wickets across two innings. His sharp spells and mastery with the pink ball dismantled the Bangladeshi lineup, leading India to an innings and 46-run victory. This debut day-night Test set the tone for India’s pink ball legacy, highlighting their adaptability and dominance in the longest format under unique conditions. Now, as they face Australia in another high-stakes clash, the team will look to draw inspiration from their successful beginnings and script another memorable chapter.

The Australia vs India 2020 Adelaide Test remains etched in memory as a challenging chapter for Indian cricket fans. Despite a promising start to the  AUS vs IND day-night Test, the match unraveled dramatically for India. On the third day, the team endured its lowest-ever Test total, collapsing to a shocking 36 all out. The formidable Australian pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood orchestrated the batting debacle, leaving Indian supporters stunned. India's batting, which had shown resilience earlier in the game, faltered under relentless pressure. Cummins and Hazlewood bowled with precision and intensity, dismantling the lineup in a matter of hours. The crushing defeat appeared to set the tone for a grim series.

However, what followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite the initial setback, India mounted a historic comeback in the series, showcasing grit and determination. Under the guidance of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, the team bounced back to win the second Test in Melbourne, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. India's resolve culminated in a famous 2-1 series victory, marked by the iconic Gabba triumph, as they retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy. 

India showcased their dominance in day-night Tests with a stunning performance against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in February 2021. In one of the shortest Tests in history, the spin duo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin created havoc. Axar's extraordinary spell saw him claim 11 wickets in the match, while Ashwin provided crucial breakthroughs at the other end. England's batting lineup crumbled to a combined total of just 193 runs across both innings. India needed minimal effort to chase down a meager target, securing a commanding 10-wicket victory in less than two days.

A year later, India continued their pink-ball success, this time against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in March 2022. The match saw brilliant performances with both bat and ball. Shreyas Iyer stood out with back-to-back crucial knocks, ensuring India set formidable targets. On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in pace bowling, picking up a match haul of eight wickets, including a fifer in the first innings. The relentless Indian attack left Sri Lanka with no answers as they suffered a crushing 238-run defeat.

India has shown commendable success in day-night Tests, winning three out of their four matches with an impressive 75% win rate. However, they face a formidable challenge in Australia, a team that has dominated the pink-ball format, winning 11 out of 12 day-night Tests. This sets the stage for an exciting contest as the two teams gear up for their clash under lights.

To fine-tune their pink-ball preparations, India played a 50-over game against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory. The match served as a valuable warm-up for the team, allowing them to adapt to the conditions and gain momentum ahead of the high-stakes day-night India vs Australia Test at the Adelaide Oval. With both teams boasting strong records in the format, the upcoming game promises to be a thrilling battle of skill and strategy under the pink ball.