Top 5 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in day-night tests

India played their first day-night test in 2019 against Bangladesh.

The day-night format in test cricket was launched in 2015 by the ICC to attract larger crowds in the stadium and on television. One major difference between the conventional test matches and the day-night tests is the use of a pink ball in the latter for better visibility.

India played their first day-night test in 2019 against Bangladesh at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Unlike Australia and England, India don’t play day-night tests regularly.

One distinguishing feature of the pink ball is the extra swing and seam movement it offers under lights. Yet, a few Indian batters have been able to negate the difficulties to post big knocks.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five individual scores by Indian batsmen in day-night tests.

Top five highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in day-night tests:

5. Rohit Sharma – 66 vs England, 2021

Rohit Sharma’s 66-run knock came in the third test of England’s tour of India in 2021 in Ahmedabad, which was a day-night contest.

Replying to England’s small first innings total of 112 runs, Rohit’s fiery half-century pushed India to 145 runs in the first innings.

Rohit’s knock came off just 86 balls and included 11 boundaries. Then, an impressive bowling performance by Axar Patel helped India win the game by 10 wickets on just the second day of the match.

4. Shreyas Iyer – 67 vs Sri Lanka, 2022

Shreyas Iyer’s 67-run knock came in the second innings of the day-night test between India and Sri Lanka in 2022 in Bengaluru. Having a 143-run lead in the first innings, Iyer’s counterattacking innings helped India extend their advantage to 447 runs.

Iyer’s innings included nine boundaries and a six. India won the game by 238 runs and Iyer was named Player of the Match for his contribution.

3. Virat Kohli – 74 vs Australia, 2020

The Australia vs India 2020 Adelaide test is widely remembered for India’s dramatic batting collapse in the second innings. However, the Asian giants showcased their famed batting prowess in the first innings. Opting to bat first, Virat Kohli’s gritty 74-run knock led India to a competitive total of 244.

Despite India’s strong performance over the first two days, a horror batting display on the third day led to their defeat by eight wickets.

2. Shreyas Iyer – 92 vs Sri Lanka, 2022

Shreyas Iyer starred in the pink-ball test against Sri Lanka in 2022 in Bengaluru with 92 runs in the first innings. Batting on day 1, Iyer’s innings helped India post a competitive total of 252 runs in the first innings.

His knock of 92 runs off 98 balls included 10 boundaries and four sixes. India won the game by a margin of more than 200 runs. Iyer’s innings helped India whitewash Sri Lanka in the two-match test series.

1. Virat Kohli – 136 vs Bangladesh, 2019

Virat Kohli holds the record for the highest score by an Indian batsman in a day-night test with his 136-run knock against Bangladesh in 2019 in Kolkata. Kohli is the first Indian to hit a century in a pink-ball test and remains the only one so far.

Kohli’s ton came in India’s first-ever day-night test. Replying to Bangladesh’s small first-innings total of 106 runs, Kohli’s century propelled India to 347 runs.

His impactful knock, which came in 194 balls, consisted of 18 boundaries. India won the game by an innings and 46 runs.

(All stats are updated till 2nd December 2024)

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