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'Overrated' - Steve Smith Takes Brutal Dig On Day-Night Tests Ahead Of Clash Against India

Rajgeeta Yadav

Steve Smith and Travis Head [Source: screengrab@abcsport]Steve Smith and Travis Head [Source: screengrab@abcsport]

As India and Australia gear up for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, all eyes are on the pink ball. The upcoming match, starting on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval, will be a day-night Test featuring the much-debated pink ball. India lead the series 1-0 after a commanding 295-run victory in Perth, putting added pressure on Aussie to bounce back.

In a video shared by ABC Sport, Australian star players shared their thoughts on the pink ball. While Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, and others called it "underrated," star batter Steve Smith wasn’t impressed. “Overrated. Hate it,” Smith said bluntly, adding, “The pink ball is too hard to see.”

At the beginning of the clip, teammate Mitchell Marsh humorously chimed in, saying, “Just ask Steve Smith,” highlighting Smith’s strong dislike for day-night Tests.


Australia In Pink-Ball Tests

Since their debut in 2015, day-night Tests were introduced to make Test cricket more engaging. Australia have excelled under lights, winning 11 out of 12 pink-ball matches. Adelaide Oval, the venue for the upcoming clash, holds special significance as it hosted the first-ever pink-ball Test between Australia and New Zealand in 2015. Notably, Australia have won all seven of their pink-ball matches at this ground.

India Struggle Under Lights

India, on the other hand, has a mixed record in day-night Tests, with three wins out of four. Their sole loss came at this very venue in 2020, when they were bowled out for just 36 runs — their lowest Test score. Despite that humiliation, India bounced back to win the series 2-1, proving their resilience. However, they are yet to secure an away victory in a pink-ball Test.

For Australia, the pink ball feels like home, and their dominance at Adelaide Oval gives them an edge. Meanwhile, India will be looking to shake off the memories of 2020 and put on a stronger show. With both teams aiming to outshine the other, the stage is set for an intense battle under the lights.