How will Team India counter the biggest challenge: The pink ball test!

India will play their fifth-ever pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval on December 6, facing Australia in the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the pink ball has delivered unforgettable moments, it continues to baffle and challenge players with its quirks and conditions. Here’s a quick dive into India’s pink-ball journey so far.

India’s Pink-Ball Highlights

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

   
   

   India’s pink-ball debut was a celebration at Eden Gardens. Pacers Ishant Sharma (9 wickets) and Umesh Yadav (8 wickets) dismantled Bangladesh, while Virat Kohli’s 136 led India to a dominant win by an innings and 46 runs.

   
   

2. India vs. Australia, 2020 (Adelaide Oval)

   
   

   This match etched itself into history for India's infamous 36 all-out—their lowest Test score. Despite starting strong, Australia capitalized on twilight conditions, winning by 8 wickets. However, India’s subsequent series comeback redefined this memory.

   
   

3. India vs. England, 2021 (Ahmedabad)

   
   

   A spin-dominated match saw Axar Patel and R. Ashwin wrecking England. The game ended within two days, with India chasing a modest 49-run target.

   
   

4. India vs. Sri Lanka, 2022 (Bengaluru)

   
   

   Shreyas Iyer's aggressive 92 and Bumrah’s 8-wicket haul led India to a commanding 238-run win. Dimuth Karunaratne’s gritty century was Sri Lanka’s lone bright spot.

Why is the Pink Ball Unique?

• Favors Pacers: Fast bowlers dominate under lights, leveraging swing and bounce. Mitchell Starc’s lethal pink-ball record (average 18.71) exemplifies this.

• Twilight Trouble: Batting during the twilight hours is nightmarish, with shifting light and prodigious swing challenging batters.

• Challenges for Batsmen: The pink ball’s behavior changes throughout the day, making run-scoring laborious, especially for overseas players.

Batting Woes for Overseas Players

Scoring runs remains arduous for visiting sides. In 12 pink-ball Tests in Australia, only three overseas batters have scored centuries, two of them being South Africans. Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq is the sole exception.

In contrast, Australian batters dominate these conditions. Marnus Labuschagne leads with 894 runs at an average of 63.85, followed by Travis Head (49.36), Steve Smith (40.00), and Usman Khawaja (39.69).

The Adelaide Oval has been particularly tough for touring sides, with only one overseas team managing 300+ runs (Pakistan’s 302). On average, visiting teams have been restricted to just 203 runs per innings—a statistic India knows too well after their infamous 36 all-out at this venue.

India at Adelaide: A Test of Resolve

Australia's pink-ball dominance is unparalleled, aided by their pacers and favorable conditions. While India’s previous Adelaide outing ended disastrously, they’ll aim to rewrite history and master the pink-ball enigma.

The stage is set—will India overcome the twilight trials? You can catch all the action live on Willow by cricbuzz. With Abound, you will get $10 cash back on your yearly subscription.

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