Why day/night Tests need to be an important part of India’s CV

Why should Team India include day/night Tests in home season? Boosting revenue, global appeal, and fan engagement are key factors.

Test cricket has evolved from being just bilateral series between cricketing nations to World Test Championships where the top two teams compete in the final. Another important evolution is day-night Tests to keep the format alive and kicking. The first such Test was held way back in 2015, but only 24 day-night Tests have been played so far. 

Team India, the powerhouse of world cricket, have been part of only five day-night Tests, with three of them being home games. India won all the three day-night Tests at home, but lost two such Tests in Australia. The last time India played a day-night Test at home was in March 2022 when they defeated Sri Lanka by 238 runs in Bengaluru. 

Considering many pros of day-night Tests, India have surprisingly not hosted as many day-night Tests as they should have done. Should not India schedule at least one day-night Test each home season?

Pros of day-night Tests
Firstly, let’s count the advantages for India if they host more day-night Tests at home.

India have played two day-night Tests away from home, both in Australia, and have lost both of them. The lack of experience of playing day-night Tests has hurt India’s chances in pink-ball Tests in Australia. 

On the other hand, Australia have played 14 day-night Tests already out of a total 24 such Tests scheduled since 2015. They have won all but one day-night Test. At home, Australia have played 13 day-night Tests, and won 12 of them, losing only one to West Indies when Shamar Joseph’s 7/68 stole the thunder in the fourth innings. 

Hence, Australia are always better placed when it comes to day-night Tests, while other teams struggle in them. Therefore, India must play more day-night Tests, at least one in a home season, to compete better against Australia or other teams when touring abroad.

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Day-night Tests can attract viewership 
The way day-night Test is structured, even working professionals, slogging in a nine-to-five job on weekdays, can take time out in the evening to see the last session of play at least. 

Hence, this evolution of Test cricket can draw more spectators to see this format, while there will also be an increase in viewership in the digital front as well. This implies more revenues to the board, which, in return can plough in money to make the sport more spectator-friendly in terms of providing better facilities in the stadiums.

WTC points at stake
India cannot afford to take day-night Tests lightly for the reason that it involves crucial WTC points that can decide the finalists for the championship. With the gaps being narrowed between the top tier of world cricket, every point is crucial to advance to the final. 

Hence, India must take measures to play more pink-ball Tests, even at the domestic level, to keep their players tuned to the challenges of playing day-night Tests at home and away.

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Challenges of Pink-ball Tests
There are costs involved in holding a day-night Test as floodlights have to function for almost third of the day’s play. The cost of operating floodlights for a third of the Test’s duration or more could be a burden not only for the ground authorities but BCCI as well.

The way ahead
Looking at the way Test cricket is shaping up with more innovative rules to make it friendlier for the next generation, day-night Test cricket could be the next big thing although it might have been a slow starter in India. BCCI needs to work on this aspect of Test cricket in India as despite the costs involved, it could bring more revenues, spectators, and digital viewership to boost the sport in India. 

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