Bowling Feats Day-night Test cricket, introduced in 2015, has been a game-changer, drawing larger crowds with its innovative approach. A defining feature of these matches is the pink ball, which ensures better visibility under lights compared to the traditional red ball.
India’s debut in day-night Test cricket came in 2019 against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The hosts dominated the match, defeating Bangladesh by an innings and 46 runs, heralding a new chapter in the longest format. The pink ball’s unique characteristic is its ability to generate extra swing and seam movement, particularly during the evening session, giving fast bowlers a significant edge. However, Indian spinners have also made their mark in day-night Tests with impactful performances. In this article, we delve into the top five best bowling figures by Indian bowlers in the history of day-night Test matches.
Five best bowling figures by Indian bowlers in day-night tests
5. Umesh Yadav – 5/53 vs Bangladesh, 2019
Indian speedster Umesh Yadav delivered an outstanding spell in India’s first-ever day-night test against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Having a lead over 230 runs in the first innings, Yadav’s bowling figures of 5/53 helped India bowl out Bangladesh for 195 runs in the second innings.
Yadav’s fifer included the key wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim, who was Bangladesh’s top scorer with 74 runs. India won the test comfortably by an innings and 46 runs.
4. Axar Patel – 5/32 vs England, 2021
Star all-rounder Axar Patel spun a web around England on his home turf in Ahmedabad in 2021. Patel’s five-wicket haul helped India bowl out England for just 81 runs in the second innings. Patel’s impressive tally included key wickets of England’s middle-order stalwarts Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow.
India won the game by 10 wickets and Patel was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell.
3. Jasprit Bumrah – 5/24 vs Sri Lanka, 2022
Bumrah’s brilliance came against Sri Lanka in 2022 in Bengaluru. Bowling on a seam-friendly wicket at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Jasprit Bumrah tore through the Sri Lankan batting lineup, delivering a sensational spell of 5/24 in the first innings.
Bumrah helped India bowl out Sri Lanka for a low total of 109 runs. The hosts ultimately won the game by a huge margin of 238 runs.
2. Ishant Sharma – 5/22 vs Bangladesh, 2019
Ishant Sharma produced a magical spell of 5/22 against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in 2019. Ishant ran through Bangladesh’s middle-order to restrict them for 106 runs in the first innings.
Ishant followed up his first-innings heroics with a four-wicket haul in the second innings. He was named Player of the Match for his match-winning performance.
1. Axar Patel – 6/38 vs England, 2021
Axar Patel was the star of the show for India in the first innings of their day-night clash against England in 2021 in Ahmedabad. Patel claimed 6/38 to bowl out England for just 112 runs in the first innings.
Patel followed up his brilliant first-innings performance with another five-wicket haul in the second innings. He finished the game with impressive figures of 11/70.