How Many Boxing Day Tests Has India Played: Boxing Day Test matches are one of the longest-running traditions in international cricket. With it being the summer season in the southern hemisphere of the globe, a lot of cricket is played in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa at this time of the year.
For those unaware, Boxing Day comes on the day after Christmas, December 26. This day is celebrated in some countries as the day when employers and the wealthy give gifts to their employees and those less fortunate. It is a recognised holiday in several countries.
With Boxing Day being a massive deal in Australia, it is natural that it is where this day is the most associated with sports, especially cricket. Each year during the Australian summer, the Boxing Day Test match is played at the biggest cricket ground in the country, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
How Many Boxing Day Tests Has India Played
While matches have been played on Boxing Day since the 19th century, the first major game that was recognised as a BDT was played during the 1950-51 Ashes series between Australia and England. The match started on December 22, and its fifth and final day fell on the 26th.
As the Indian Cricket Team usually travels to the southern continent around the turn of the year, the Men in Blue have played several Test matches from December 26 to 30.
India has an okay record in Boxing Day Test matches in Australia. Having first played against the Aussies on this day in 1985, that first India vs Australia Boxing Day Test was a draw. Out of the next six occasions that these two countries played on this day, five were won by Australia, while one other was drawn.
However, in the last two BDT matches between India and Australia, it is the Indian Cricket Team that has stood victorious. This includes the famous victory in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India came back from getting all out for 36 in the first match of the series to bring the series level.
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The India vs South Africa Boxing Day Test is historic as well. In 1992, when the Proteas were brought back to international cricket, India became the first country to play a series against them. That year, the two nations played the BDT in Port Elizabeth, with the home side picking up the win.
On the seven occasions, the two nations have played a Boxing Day Test, South Africa has won five, while India has won two. The most recent edition of this match, played in 2023, was won by the Proteas by an inning and 32 runs.
Finally, the third and final country with a major Boxing Day Test history is New Zealand. There has been only one India vs New Zealand Boxing Day Test match. It was played in 1998 in Wellington and was won by the home team by four wickets. There was also a Boxing Day ODI between the two, won by New Zealand.
There has also been one Boxing Day Test match between India and West Indies in 1987 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This match ended in a draw.
So, the Indian Cricket Team has played 18 test matches on Boxing Day so far, winning four, losing 11, and drawing three.
The 2024 Australia vs India Boxing Day Test match will be the fourth match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and will play a massive role in the result of this series. The two teams head into this game at the MCG having won one match each in this series.
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