India will return to their first Boxing Day international cricket match in two years when they face Australia in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.
With the series level at 1-1, the game in a festive mood in Melbourne will be crucial for both sides in terms of the World Test Championship. Despite their relatively positive record in the recent iteration in Melbourne, India’s historical record on the field has seen a turbulent return. The story is the same in the overall picture of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa starting on December 26 every year.
India’s Boxing Day Test Record
India’s under-par record in Boxing Day Tests in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand has been one-sided until their fortunes have changed over the last decade. Since 2014, India have gone unbeaten in four Boxing Day Tests, with one draw and three wins, before tasting defeat in South Africa in December 2023. The Proteas defeated India by an innings and 32 runs in the three-day match at Centurion. Before that result, India had beaten South Africa (2021) by winning back-to-back Boxing Day Tests in Australia in 2018 and 2020.
In total, India have played 18 Boxing Day Tests, with four wins, 11 losses and three drqwn matches.
India’s overall record in Boxing Day Tests ahead of Thursday’s match in Melbourne:
Played: 18
Won: 4
Lost: 11
Drawn: 3
Final Result: Defeated South Africa by an innings and 32 runs (Centurion, 2023)
India’s Test record in Melbourne
Similar to their overall Boxing Day Test record, India have won just four Tests in 14 matches against Australia in Melbourne. Interestingly, India’s last defeat was in 2011.
India’s MCG Test Record:
Played: 14
Won: 4
Draw: 2
Cons: 8
India Boxing Day Results
1985 vs Australia – Match Draw (Melbourne)
1987 v West Indies – Match Draw (Eden Gardens)
1991 vs Australia – lost by 8 wickets (Melbourne)
1992 vs South Africa – lost by 9 wickets (Gqeberha)
1996 v South Africa – lost by 328 runs (Durban)
1998 v New Zealand – lost by 4 wickets (Wellington)
1999 vs Australia – lost by 180 runs (Melbourne)
2003 vs Australia – lost by 9 wickets (Melbourne)
2006 v South Africa – lost by 174 runs (Durban)
2007 v Australia – lost by 337 runs (Melbourne)
2009 v South Africa – won by 87 runs (Durban)
2011 vs Australia – lost by 122 runs (Melbourne)
2013 vs South Africa – lost by 10 wickets (Durban)
2014 vs Australia – Match Draw (Melbourne)
2018 vs Australia – won by 137 runs (Melbourne)
2020 v Australia – won by 8 wickets (Melbourne)
2021 vs South Africa – won by 113 runs (Centurion)
2023 vs South Africa – lost by an innings and 32 runs (Centurion)
Highest individual score by an Indian in a Boxing Day Test
Virender Sehwag – 195 (223) – 2003 v Australia (Melbourne)
Virat Kohli – 169 (272) – 2014 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Ajinkya Rahane – 147 (171) – 2014 v Australia (Melbourne)
Best bowling spells by Indians in Boxing Day Tests
Jasprit Bumrah – 6/33 – 2018 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Ravindra Jadeja – 6/138 – 2013 v South Africa (Durban)
Anil Kumble – 6/176 – 2003 v Australia (Melbourne)
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