Top five highest run-scorers for India in day-night Test matches

In November 2019, India played their first-ever day-night Test cricket match at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. To date, they have participated in four pink-ball Tests, consisting of three home games and one away game.

With three victories and one loss, India has a strong record in day-night Tests. It has been proven that batting against a pink ball under lights can be difficult because the ball tends to move slightly more and for a longer period of time in the air than conventional red balls.

However, there have been a few Indian batters who have done well in day-night Test matches.

In this article, let’s delve into the five Indian batters with the most runs in day-night matches in Test cricket.

5. Cheteshwar Pujara – 98 Runs

Cheteshwar Pujara, an experienced batter, represented India in three day-night Test matches. It was a little difficult for even Pujara to get going. In four innings, Pujara scored one fifty. In three pink-ball Tests, he amassed 98 runs at an average of 24.50, including a best of 55 against Bangladesh.

4. Ajinkya Rahane – 100 Runs

Ajinkya Rahane played in three day-night matches for India. He accumulated 100 runs at an average of 25 in four innings. Rahane managed to score a fifty at the Adelaide Oval against Australia, but India suffered a humiliating defeat in that match. 

3. Shreyas Iyer – 159 Runs

In day-night Test matches, Shreyas Iyer has an impressive record. However, he has only participated in one pink-ball Test, which was played in 2022 at Bangalore's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium against Sri Lanka. Iyer was named the Player of the Match after India won that test by 238 runs. He scored fifty in both innings, recording scores of 92 and 67.

2. Rohit Sharma – 173 Runs

In day-night Test matches, Rohit Sharma has a strong record. The right-handed opener has participated in three of these games overall. Rohit has amassed 173 runs at an average of 43.25 in five appearances in these matches. He has one fifty in a pink-ball test, which is a score of 66 that came against England in Ahmedabad in 2021.

1. Virat Kohli – 277 Runs

Virat Kohli is India’s top run-scorer in day-night Test matches with 277 runs. Kohli is the first and by far only Indian batter to hit a century in a pink-ball test. He has played in all four of India's day-night test matches thus far, scoring 277 runs at an average of 46.16. Kohli has achieved a century and a half-century. In India's first day-night match at Eden Gardens, he scored a century against Bangladesh. Later, in Adelaide, he scored 74 against Australia.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official