Cricket under lights with a pink ball presents unique challenges for the batsmen. The pink ball, which is known for its extra swing under lights and sharper seam visibility, demands an adaptation in playing approach.

As a result, players have to get adapted to the twilight period, where visibility issues often peak and bowlers, especially seamers, relish the increased assistance. There were instances even the spinners have thrived with the pink-ball.

Team India has shown remarkable progress in the day-night Test format, boasting an impressive record of three wins from four matches.

India’s journey in day-night Tests began in 2019, and since then, they have played four matches, with three at home and one on foreign soil. Let's now take a detailed look at their performances.

1. Dominant win against Bangladesh (2019)

India made their pink-ball debut in grand style with a scintillating win against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2019. The Indian pace trio of Ishant Sharma (5 wickets), Umesh Yadav (3 wickets) and Mohammed Shami (2 wickets) wreaked havoc as they exploited the ball’s movement under lights to bundle out the Tigers for 106.

Virat Kohli led from the front with a masterful century as Team India posted 347/9 (declared). Bangladesh struggled to cope in the second innings as they were bowled out for 195, with Mushfiqur Rahim top-scoring with 74. India wrapped up the match inside three days and won by an innings and 46 runs.

2. A Stinging Loss for India at Adelaide (2020)

India’s first overseas pink-ball Test turned out to be a humbling experience as they surrendered at the hands of Australia in the second innings. Following a strong start with 244 in the first innings, India collapsed dramatically in the second innings as they were bowled out for 36, their lowest-ever Test total.

Australia’s pacers, led by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, exploited the pink ball’s movement brilliantly, leaving India stunned in the second innings. Hazlewood picked up five wickets whereas Cummins took four wickets. The hosts posted 191 in the first innings and chased down 90 with ease to clinch the day-night Test by 8 wickets.

3. India crush England at Ahmedabad (2021)

Returning to the comfort of home soil, the hosts showcased their prowess with the pink ball against England at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad in 2021. On a spin-friendly track, Axar Patel (11 wickets) and Ravichandran Ashwin (7 wickets) were the chief architects of India’s win, sharing 18 wickets between them.

The match was done and dusted in just two days, with England struggling to handle India’s spinners under lights. England were skittled out for 112 in the first innings as Zak Crawley top-scored with 53. India responded with 145, thanks to Rohit Sharma's 66.

Quite interestingly, Joe Root was the pick of the bowlers for England as he took 5 wickets whereas Jack Leach accounted for four dismissals. England were bowled out for 81 in the second innings. Axar Patel who bagged 6 wickets in the first innings, accounted for five more wickets. India won the game by 10 wickets and registered a dominant win over the Three Lions.

4. A Comprehensive Victory Over Sri Lanka in Bengaluru (2022)

India registered a humongous win over Sri Lanka in the Day-Night Test match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in 2022. Batting first, India were bowled out for 252 runs in the first innings, with Shreyas Iyer top-scoring with 92. Sri Lankan bowlers Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama picked up three wickets each.

In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 109 runs. Angelo Mathews was the top scorer for the visitors with 43 runs. Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball for India, claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul.

India declared after posting 303/9 in the second innings. Once again, Shreyas Iyer led the charge with a fluent 67, while Rishabh Pant contributed a quick-fire half-century. On the bowling front, Praveen Jayawickrama claimed four wickets, while Lasith Embuldeniya added three more scalps to his tally.

Chasing a mammoth target of 447, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 208 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne stood tall with a fighting century (107), and Kusal Mendis chipped in with 54. However, their efforts were not enough as India cruised to a comprehensive victory.