Top five highest individual scores by Indian batters in day-night Tests

The ICC introduced the day-night format of Test cricket in 2015 in an effort to draw bigger audiences to the stadium and on television. A significant distinction between day-night tests and traditional test matches is the latter's use of a pink ball for improved visibility.

In 2019, India played their first day-night test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against Bangladesh. India doesn't frequently play day-night tests like England and Australia do. 

One distinguishing feature of the pink ball is the extra swing and seam movement it offers under lights. A few Indian batters, however, have managed to overcome the challenges in order to produce big knocks. 

In light of this, let's examine the top five individual scores achieved by Indian batters in day-night Test matches.

5. Rohit Sharma – 66 vs England, 2021

In the third test of England's 2021 tour of India, Rohit Sharma scored 66 runs in a day-and-night match in Ahmedabad. Rohit's flaming half-century propelled India to 145 runs in the first innings in response to England's meager first innings total of 112.

Rohit’s knock came off just 86 balls and included 11 boundaries. India then won the match by 10 wickets on just the second day of the match thanks to a superb bowling effort from Axar Patel.

4. Shreyas Iyer – 67 vs Sri Lanka, 2022

In the second innings of India vs Sri Lanka's 2022 day-night Test in Bengaluru, Shreyas Iyer scored 67 runs. Iyer's counterattacking innings helped India increase their lead to 447 runs after they had taken a 143-run lead in the first innings.

Iyer hit nine boundaries and a six in his innings. His contribution earned him Player of the Match as India won the match by 238 runs.

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. But in the first innings, the Asian giants displayed their famed batting ability. India chose to bat first, and Virat Kohli's hardy 74-run innings helped them reach a respectable total of 244.

Even though India played well the first two days, they lost by eight wickets on the third day due to a terrible batting performance.

2. Shreyas Iyer – 92 vs Sri Lanka, 2022

In 2022, Shreyas Iyer scored 92 runs in the first innings of the pink-ball Test match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. When India batted on the first day, Iyer's innings contributed to a respectable first-inning total of 252 runs. He hit 92 runs off 98 balls, including four sixes and 10 boundaries.

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

In 2019, Virat Kohli scored 136 runs in Kolkata against Bangladesh, setting a new record for the highest score by an Indian batter in a day-night Test. 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. 

In response to Bangladesh's modest 106-run first-inning total, Kohli's century helped India reach 347 runs. His impactful knock, which came in 194 balls, consisted of 18 boundaries. India won the game by an innings and 46 runs.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official