Published By: Sanchari Das

BGT: The Exclusive 10-Wicket Club in Pink-Ball Tests

These bowlers' feats underscore the thrill of day-night Tests and the unpredictability they bring to the game

The introduction of pink-ball Tests over nine years ago brought a fresh dynamic to cricket. Played under lights with a uniquely designed pink ball, these matches have challenged batters like never before. The ball's swing under twilight and its rugged surface favour pacers, while spinners benefit as the ball softens and the pitch deteriorates. Remarkably, only three bowlers have achieved the feat of taking ten wickets in a pink-ball Test. Let's take a closer look at their phenomenal performances.

Axar Patel: 11/70

Axar Patel became the first Indian to achieve this extraordinary milestone. The spin all-rounder's brilliance was fully displayed during the third Test against England in Ahmedabad in 2021. Axar's remarkable 11/70 remains the best match figures in a pink-ball Test. He dismantled England's lineup with 6/38 in the first innings, followed by a 5/32 effort in the second.

Axar began with a bang, dismissing Zak Crawley off the very first ball of England's second innings. His relentless accuracy claimed big names, including Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. With this performance, Axar bagged his third consecutive five-wicket haul in Tests. India comfortably won the game by 10 wickets, and Axar etched his name in history with the best pink-ball bowling performance to date.

Pat Cummins: 10/62

Pat Cummins delivered one of the finest performances in a day-night Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in 2019. The Australian pacer, renowned for his consistency and aggression, ripped through Sri Lanka's batting lineup to claim match figures of 10/62.

Cummins claimed 4/39 in the first innings and followed it up with a sensational 6/23 in the second. His sharp swing and precise length were too much for the Sri Lankans, who succumbed to a defeat by an innings and 40 runs. Cummins' spell included the dismissal of key players like Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, showcasing his ability to dominate in clutch moments. This match also marked his maiden 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, earning him the Man of the Match award.

Devendra Bishoo: 10/174

West Indies' leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo achieved a historic feat against Pakistan in Dubai in 2016, becoming the first bowler to take 10 wickets in a pink-ball Test. His 10/174 was highlighted by a sensational 8/49 in Pakistan's second innings, the best bowling figures in an innings in a day-night Test.

Bishoo's magical spell bundled out Pakistan for just 123 in their second innings, giving West Indies a fighting chance. However, his heroic effort wasn't enough, as the Caribbean side lost the game by 56 runs. Despite the loss, Bishoo's performance remains a benchmark for spinners in pink-ball Tests, proving that persistence and skill can shine even in adversity.

Will Cummins shine, or will India script a twist?

The second Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test is almost here, with India and Australia gearing up for a thrilling pink-ball encounter in Adelaide on December 6. India enters the match with a 1-0 lead after a commanding 295-run win in the first Test. Australia, however, will be drawing confidence from their last pink-ball clash at Adelaide, where they bowled India out for just 36 runs and secured an emphatic eight-wicket win.

While history favours Australia in Adelaide, India will aim to overturn the narrative, just like they did in Perth. Axar Patel, the holder of the best pink-ball bowling figures, is not part of this tour. But Pat Cummins, who already has a 10-wicket pink-ball haul, could be poised to make his mark again. Will Cummins surpass Axar's record, or will an Indian bowler rise to the occasion? Only time will tell, but the stage is set for another enthralling chapter in pink-ball Test cricket.