India head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged that batting against the pink ball under lights proved “tough” and presented a “different challenge” for his players. However, he stopped short of attributing India’s heavy defeat against Australia at the WACA Ground solely to the day-night format.
India’s chances of salvaging a draw in the multi-format series suffered a major setback after they were dismissed for 198 and 149 in the one-off Test, resulting in a ten-wicket loss inside three days during Australia captain Alyssa Healy’s farewell appearance.
“They were tough conditions. The pink ball was a different challenge,” Muzumdar told reporters. “There’s no doubt the ball moved quite considerably under lights, but that’s the way it is. Got to adjust to the conditions. It was the same for both teams.
“We could have played those two sessions [on day one] a little differently. If we could have put a good score on the board in the first innings, [it] would have been a different story.”
Although India’s first innings unfolded during daylight hours on the opening day, the team struggled against aggressive seam bowling late on day two. They slipped to 82 for 6 in their second innings, effectively sealing the outcome of the contest.
The defeat marked India’s first loss in Test cricket since February 2006, bringing an end to an unbeaten run spanning nine matches.
There was speculation that India might have fared better in a traditional red-ball encounter, particularly after Australia had thrashed England by an innings and 122 runs in a day-night Test at the MCG the previous year.
Despite the setback, Muzumdar emphasised that the pink-ball format adds “a lot of excitement” to the game. “Spectators come to watch, maybe after their work in the evening, so you have to consider a lot of things,” he said.
The fixture also marked India’s return to Test cricket since their victory over South Africa in mid-2024. After a prolonged period with limited matches in the format, interest within the squad has grown.
India did not play Tests for eight years between 2006 and 2014, before featuring in five matches from 2021 to 2024. Their next assignment in the format is not far away, with a historic Test against England scheduled at Lord’s in July.
“Everyone in the dressing room, I can guarantee you that they were looking forward to this pink-ball Test match in Perth. More the merrier,” he said. “The talk in the dressing room is that the more Test matches we play, the better it is for the game.
“I always believe that four-day or five-day Test matches in the international cricket calendar is always a healthy sign for cricket.”
While India’s experienced players struggled at the WACA, the team found encouragement in the displays of debutants Pratika Rawal, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud and Kashvee Gautam.
Batting at No. 3, Rawal showed resilience with 63 from 137 balls in the second innings. Satghare impressed with the pink ball, claiming 4-50 in 18.2 overs during Australia’s first innings, including her maiden wicket — opener Georgia Voll — with a sharp inswinger that uprooted the leg stump.
“I thought they were fantastic,” Muzumdar said of the four debutants. “Somebody like Pratika showing the guts and determination, getting the half century here at the WACA in the second innings.
“It was really heartening to see all the debutants. The result didn’t go our way. But at the same time, we showed a lot of character and heart.
“Bit disappointed with the result, but really happy for the fight that we showed for the last three days. Credit to Australia, they were terrific in this game and outplayed us.”
