Explained: Why India aren't playing pink-ball day/night tests

India last played a day-night Test at home against Sri Lanka in March 2022.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah spoke on the public interest in pink-ball, day-night Tests when questioned about there being no such game scheduled in India’s home season this time, either for men or women.

The day-night Tests were started as an experiment to lure more fans into watching Test cricket as the matches could be played in the night as well after starting late. However, such matches have rarely gone the whole five days and there have been a few matches, that have ended inside three days.

In India, all three Pink-Ball Tests ended within three days. The Day and Night Test against England in February 2021 was lackluster. The match ended in just two days, with the hosts winning by 10 wickets at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah says once the public interest in pink-ball Tests increases, more matches will be played

The rationale for the postponement of the Day and Night Tests in India was stated by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. He remarked that the public’s interest in watching the game should be raised. He also stated that the board is in discussions with England about playing Pink-Ball Tests.

“We will have to increase the public’s interest for the pink-ball Test. If you recall, the (pink-ball) Tests ended in two or three days. Everyone wants to watch a Test match lasting four to five days. Once they get more used to it, we will do more pink-ball Tests. Last time it was done in Australia, no one has done it since then. We were in talks with England, but we will do it gradually,” Shah was quoted by Times of India.

As per the home schedule of both men’s and women’s teams for the calendar year 2024, there is not a single day and night Test scheduled.

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