AUS v IND: India’s Pink-Ball Struggles Highlights Need For More Day-Night Test Exposure
India suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval and the debacle has reignited the debate surrounding the pink-ball and day-night test match cricket. Even though India is considered a cricketing powerhouse with a proven track record in the toughest of conditions, a lack of experience with the pink ball was the prime culprit behind India’s loss at Adelaide and in the process, highlighted a glaring gap in the preparation of modern-day test match cricket. India’s Performance In Perth vs In Adelaide The Adelaide test match, a day-night fixture, saw India struggle under the lights, a stark contrast to their performance in the first test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium, Perth. Despite having some of the world’s finest players—Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jasprit Bumrah—India was caught off guard by the pink-ball’s unpredictable movement and the unfamiliar batting conditions in a test match at night. It was tough to get familiar with the pink-ball’s behavior, especially in lights, as India collapsed in both their batting and bowling performances. Pink-Ball Turns Out To Be A Test For India The main issue has been India’s lack of exposure to pink-ball cricket. A format that is ever-so-present in international test match cricket, especially in Australia. The pink-ball swings very differently than the red-ball, as well as being much brighter to see, which translates to playability under artificial lights. This means the cricketers have to learn different techniques and strategies, all of which India’s men are still getting used to. India Needs Regular Pink-Ball Exposure In Home Tests To avoid such shocking losses in future day-night test matches, it is essential for India to make pink-ball cricket a regular feature in their home season. With the top level facilities in arenas like the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad now available, it presents an ideal venue for hosting a day-night test match, with the best facilities and infrastructure for such an event. Alternatively, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, known for its lively crowd and an excellent wicket, could also host such matches, drawing full-capacity crowds and maximizing ticket sales, if at all revenue is a concern. India Must Embrace Pink-Ball Tests Just as Australia has included the pink-ball test in their calendar for their home series, India must do the same and make sure that their players get enough practice to get accustomed to the day-night format. Regular exposure to day-night test matches would help Indian cricketers understand the challenges of playing with the pink ball and provide the necessary practice to master its peculiarities. A Wake-Up Call for India Ultimately, India’s loss in Adelaide serves as a wake-up call. If they are to compete successfully in day-night test matches, both at home and abroad, they need to make the pink-ball format a permanent fixture in their test cricket calendar. What is your opinion on inclusion of pink-ball day-night test matches in the yearly calendar for every Indian cricket home-season? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: What Makes Australia Dominate In Pink Ball Tests?
As Australia prepares for another day-night test match in Adelaide, there is a lot to look forward to as this side is confident of avenging the heavy defeat at India’s hands in the first test. However, Australia’s brilliant record in pink-ball tests stands at its own pedestal. Notching up all seven of the day-night tests at the Adelaide Oval and 11 of 12 overall at their home, they have their best track record. Following are the factors that feature why Australia is dominating day-night tests. Win The Toss And Batting First In Pink Ball Test The secret to Australian success in day-night tests seems to be winning the toss and batting first. Indeed, they have won all seven of their matches when deciding to bat first, posting monstrous totals-often well over 400 runs. An earlier success by West Indies batted first and scored 311 and then went on to win the match by eight runs is an excellent example of how batting first gives a head start. Of the 12 day-night tests played at home, ten have seen the team winning the toss opt to bat. England were exceptions in Adelaide (2017) and Hobart (2022), both of which they lost after failing to build on their early advantage. In like manner, New Zealand in 2015 and Sri Lanka in 2019 could not make a mark after opting to bat, managing scores of just 202 and 144, respectively. Even when South Africa declared at 259/9 in Adelaide in 2016 to bowl under lights, Australia’s unbroken partnership at stumps showed how important it is to have a solid first innings score. India’s 2020 loss, despite having a first-innings lead of 53 runs, remains one of the rare exceptions to this pattern. The New Ball Effect The new pink ball used in day-night tests significantly upgrades the performance of seam bowlers compared to its red version. Fast bowlers have particularly flourished under this condition, especially the Australian fast bowlers. Since 2015-16, the average for fast bowlers in the first 20 overs of a red-ball test has been 33.02. However, in pink ball tests, it drops down to 24.56. Australia’s fast bowling has been very effective with the pink ball, averaging just 18.87 in the first 20 overs, compared to 25.01 with the red ball. Even the visiting quicks, on average, have done a better job with the pink ball (33.94) than with the red (45.91). That gap makes batting in the early sessions of a pink ball test much tougher than in day games. Batting Issues In The Final Session The last session of a day-night test, which is generally played under lights, is the most challenging for batsmen. Fast bowlers reign supreme in this phase with an average of 20.30, as opposed to 23.03 in the first session and 32.01 in the second. The Australian bowlers are even more lethal, with an average of 14.66 under lights in all 12 day-night tests. Visiting bowlers have an average of 32.08 under lights. Interestingly, the Adelaide Oval presents a different picture, where the fast bowlers do well in the first session (23.02) than in the third (25.66). Australia’s pacers are as deadly in the afternoon, with an average of 17.42 and 18.26 respectively. Nathan Lyon’s Performance While Australia’s fast bowling cartel has shone in day-night test matches, Nathan Lyon has also played a crucial role in his side’s dominance. As a spinner, Lyon outshines visiting spinners in such conditions. Since the 2015-16 season, Lyon has averaged 25.58 in pink ball tests and 31.80 in red ball tests at home. His ability to take wickets at the right time and at a faster rate than with the red ball, has made him a valuable player in Australia’s current dominance. The visiting spinners, however, have fared poorly in Australia. Since 2015-16, they have averaged 62.31 in red ball test matches and 64.44 in pink ball test matches, while Nathan Lyon has been a contrast to all of them every time. Leading Run Getter In Pink Ball Tests Marnus Labuschagne has been outstanding in pink ball tests. With 894 runs at an average of 63.85 and four centuries, Labuschagne is the highest run-getter in pink ball test matches for Australia. Travis Head with two hundreds is the next best. Leading Wicket Taker In Pink Ball Tests Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s leading wicket-taker in pink-ball Tests. With 66 wickets at an average of 18.71, he is the only player in Australia to have taken 50-plus wickets in this format. Along with Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have also kept excellent records, with averages under 20. Australia In Pink Ball Tests Australia’s near-perfect record in day-night tests at home comes from a couple of factors. All these have been part of the bat-first strategy, the effectiveness of seamers with the new pink ball and the dominance of Australian bowlers under lights. Nathan Lyon’s success as a spinner in these conditions adds to Australia’s formidable reputation. With Labuschagne, Starc and Lyon leading the charge, Australia remains a force to be reckoned with in day-night test matches and continues to make it hard for opponents to beat them on home soil. Will Australia keep dominating in the pink ball test or will India have the upper hand this time in Adelaide? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Get Familiar With Pink Ball Before The Adelaide Test
Generally, in test match cricket, a day is called off as the sun sets. However, not this time as India and Australia are set to face off in a thrilling day-night test match in Adelaide. The game will throw light on the ongoing debate between the traditional red ball and the pink ball. Although both are for the same purpose in cricket, they have distinct features that can dramatically alter the dynamics of a match. We very well understand that as sports fans, you all surely are in curiosity to know more on the pink ball which is going to be used in the second test at Adelaide. Therefore we have tried to answer a couple of queries about the pink ball. Does Pink Ball Have Better Visibility? One of the most discussed variations between the pink ball and the red ball is its visibility factor. The pink ball has been designed strictly for day-night test matches and provides better visibility under floodlights. The red ball becomes dull after some time and appears brown when it wears out, but a pink ball retains its color for a longer period such that players can see them clearly even under floodlight. This is because the coating of the pink ball consists of a special pigment along with a polyurethane layer that gives the ball a glossy finish. The pink ball has black stitching, making it more visible than the white stitching of the red ball that fades under the lights. This is vital in a day-night game where, at times, the track of the ball should be viewed more easily because the ball has to change over from bright daylight to evening. How Is The Pink Ball Made? The making of the pink ball contributes much towards its performance during test matches. The pink ball is made with synthetic materials with linen. It helps the bowlers have a good grip compared to other balls. The polyurethane coating adds a layer of durability, ensuring that the ball stays in good condition even after 40 overs. Such a feature becomes important, especially in day-night test matches, where the ball has to go through multiple phases of play under different light conditions. How Is The Red Ball Made? In comparison, the red ball is dyed with a wax coating, which tends to lose its shine quickly. Over time, the red ball begins to fade and turns brownish, making it harder for the players to spot, especially when the lights come on. While both balls are durable, the pink ball holds up better under floodlights, giving it an edge in the later stages of the game. What Makes The Pink Ball Swing For A Longer Time? The pink ball’s design impacts its behavior in terms of swing and bounce. Much like the red ball, the pink ball offers strong swing in the initial overs, thanks to its lacquer layer. However, the pink ball shines for a longer period than the red ball and this is why it remains swinging for a much longer time. This makes the pink ball much favourable for fast bowlers, especially in the initial and middle overs of the game. However, because of its new bounce, although it loses up and coming in the duration of the match, it tends to continue swimming very well, still leaving chances to the bowler through that time. Compared to that the red ball fades both the swim and bounce right after around 40 overs with a resulting tough control that will not get easier. As far as pink ball has gone is the role inside the test match under light, daylight or otherwise day-night test matches. Has The Pink Ball Affected Test Match Cricket? The pink ball has totally changed the face of test match cricket, especially in day-night matches. Traditionally, test matches were played in the day and the red ball was the preferred choice. However, with the advent of day-night test matches, the pink ball has become a must. Its design allows it to be used in conditions where the red ball would struggle to perform. For players, getting used to the pink ball is crucial in order to succeed in day-night test matches. The pink ball behaves differently than the red ball, and the strategies have to be altered according to it. Whether it is adjusting to its visibility under lights or understanding its swing patterns, mastering the pink ball is becoming an integral part of modern-day test cricket. The Pink Ball’s ‘Glowing’ Influence With the pink ball continuing to make its mark in international cricket, it is apparent that it has revolutionized the way test match cricket is played. Its superior visibility, enhanced durability and the ability to maintain swing and bounce for longer periods give it a distinct advantage over the red ball, especially in day-night fixtures. Does The Pink Ball Generate Excitement? With India and Australia set to face each other in Adelaide in the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the pink ball promises another level of excitement to this game. Players and coaches from both the teams and fans off-course are sure to see a thrilling contest where the pink ball will once again be at the center of things. India has the momentum after winning the first test match in Perth. On the other hand, Australia has never lost a pink ball-test match in Adelaide. Do let us know your thoughts on which team can make optimum use of the pink ball and come strong in the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
