In the world of international cricket, the 'Boxing Day Test' is a date and event of significance. Starting on December 26 (Boxing Day) the day after Christmas, the match effectively marks the start of the summer cricketing season particularly in Australia.
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The Boxing Day Test in Australia is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the day after Christmas every year. As one of the largest stadiums in the world, it has become the dream of cricketers around the world to participate in the Boxing Day Test.
While this event is most well-known in Australia, other cricketing nations in the Southern Hemisphere such as South Africa and New Zealand also tend to mark the date with a Test match on the date.
What is a 'Boxing Day Test'? How have India performed in Test matches on Boxing Day?
India played in a Boxing Day Test for the first time in 1985, two years after winning their first World Cup. Taking on Australia in their backyard, team efforts in the first two innings gave India a 183-run lead before Allan Border's 163 ensured Australia scored enough to come away with a draw.
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India played their first Boxing Day Test in South Africa in 1992, and have played just one in New Zealand, in 1998.
| Year | Opposition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Melbourne | Draw |
| 1991 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 1992 | South Africa | Gqeberha | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 1996 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 328 runs |
| 1998 | New Zealand | Wellington | Lost by 4 wickets |
| 1999 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 180 runs |
| 2003 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 2006 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 174 runs |
| 2007 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 337 runs |
| 2010 | South Africa | Durban | Won by 87 runs |
| 2011 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 122 runs |
| 2013 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 10 wickets |
| 2014 | Australia | Melbourne | Draw |
| 2018 | Australia | Melbourne | Won by 137 runs |
| 2020 | Australia | Melbourne | Won by 8 wickets |
| 2021 | South Africa | Centurion | Won by 113 runs |
India's next Boxing Day Test assignment is in two days, as they prepare to take on South Africa at Centurion, the same venue where they won in 2021. If India manage to win this match, it will be just their third Boxing Day Test victory in South Africa.
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