A look back as India gears up for the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Adelaide
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a showcase of cricket’s best moments, and as India prepares for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, there is more than just excitement in the air. Pink-ball cricket has been a fascinating chapter in the Men in Blue’s history, with dramatic victories and devastating lows. Before the lights shine brightly in Adelaide, let’s look back at India’s pink-ball Test record.
India’s relationship with the pink ball begins on a historical note. Hosting Bangladesh in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, the fans witnessed something unique: a powerful India demolished their opponents in three days.
Ishant Sharma dominated the first innings, taking 5/22 and ensuring Bangladesh collapsed for 106. India replied with 347/9, led by Virat Kohli’s elegant 136. The speed trio of Ishant, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami then finished the job, bowling Bangladesh out for 195 in the second innings.
The match set several milestones, including India’s first home Test win without a spinner’s wicket, the shortest completed Test in India, and seven straight triumphs. It was the perfect prelude to India’s pink-ball heroics.
In December 2020, India and Australia faced off in Adelaide. Day one was all about Kohli’s strong 74 and Ashwin’s cunning 4/55, which kept the visitors in contention. On the third day, however, everything fell apart like a house of cards.
India, starting their second innings at 9/1, collapsed dramatically to 36 all out, their lowest-ever Test total. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood delivered unplayable periods with the pink ball, leaving India astonished. Australia quickly chased down India’s meagre score of 90, defeating them by eight wickets.
The Adelaide disaster was a stark reminder of the difficulties of pink-ball cricket when circumstances and timing could swing the balance.
The third pink-ball Test was played at home against England in Ahmedabad. Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin performed brilliantly on the Motera ground, explicitly designed for spinners.
After dismissing England for 112 in their first innings, Axar’s 6/38 helped India respond with 145, aided by Rohit Sharma’s 66. What ensued was complete chaos. England fell to 81 in their second innings, with Axar and Ashwin taking another five and four wickets, respectively. India won by ten wickets after chasing a low score of 49.
This two-day encounter was the shortest Test ever completed since 1935, demonstrating that pink-ball cricket can be both unexpected and exciting.
The fourth phase began in Bengaluru, where Sri Lanka travelled for a Day-Night Test in March 2022. This time, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s chance to shine. The speedster scored a match-winning 8/47 over two innings, including a scorching 5/24 in the first.
India batted energetically, scoring 252 and 303/9 declared, with Shreyas Iyer leading the way in both innings. Dimuth Karunaratne’s brave century in the second innings provided some fight, but Sri Lanka eventually fell short by 238 runs.
India won the series 2-0, cementing their domination at home.
Adelaide has served as both a testing ground and a location of anguish for India in pink-ball cricket. As they prepare for another Day-Night duel, the events of 2020 loom large. However, this Indian team, fresh off a triumph in Perth, is poised to overturn history.
Will Bumrah dazzle again? Can the batting lineup handle Australia’s pace attack? These questions remain as the teams enter the Adelaide Arena. Under the pink ball’s glow, prepare for drama and surprises in what promises to be an exciting game.
