How to win a pink-ball Test in India

Seam to win

Over 15 day-night Tests so far, the greatest trend has been how seam bowlers have thrived. Since the inaugural day-night Test at Adelaide in 2015, spinners average 33.8 in both day and day-night Tests. But, benefiting from the pink ball offering greater new-ball swing and in the hazardous twilight period, seamers average just 24.9 in daynight Tests, compared to 29.5 in day Tests in the same period. This informs

England’s optimism, and the realistic prospect of picking a four-pronged seam attack.

In the only day-night Test played in India so far, at Kolkata in 2019, seamers took all India’s wickets in a crushing victory against Bangladesh.

“The pink ball does tend to swing a lot more than the red ball,” India captain Virat Kohli said.

Starts of 2.30pm, rather than 9.30am, will render heat less of an encumbrance, making it easier for quicks to bowl longer spells.

The toss

The side who have won the toss have won eight games and lost seven, ostensibly suggesting the toss is little or no advantage. But 13 out of 15 toss-winners have chosen to bat. Between evenly matched sides, winning the toss can provide a double advantage. Conditions in India are generally best to bat earlier in the Test. And if a team succumb to a first-day collapse, bowling during twilight might provide a route back into the match.

Adapt to different phases

In day-night Tests, batsmen average 23 runs in the morning session and 27 in the evening session – but 32 in the middle session. For bowlers, attrition in the middle session allows them the freedom to attack with the new ball and at twilight. “The plan in the afternoons was to bowl a nice and consistent line and length and then in the evenings when the situation allowed us to, we attacked a lot more,” Kohli explained.

Discipline in twilight

The twilight period is viewed as a treacherous time to bat, but those already at the crease have often scored with alacrity while the fielding side attack. “During that twilight period it gets tricky – the light changes, it’s difficult to sight the ball and under lights it’s like playing the first session in a normal Test match,” said Kohli. “But you have to really take guard again and start from scratch and understand you have to be a bit more disciplined.”