India have not lost a Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne since 2014. (AP)
India will return for their first Boxing Day international cricket fixture 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 match slated under the festive mood in Melbourne will be crucial for both sides in the context of the World Test Championship. Though they have had a relatively positive record in recent iterations in Melbourne, India’s historical record at the ground has seen wavering returns. The story is similar in the overall picture of Boxing Day Tests too which is predominantly hosted by Australia and South Africa annually, starting December 26.
India’s Boxing Day Test record
India’s under-par record in Boxing Day Tests in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have been one-sided until their fortunes received a fillip in the last decade. Since 2014, India went unbeaten in four Boxing Day Tests, with a draw and three wins, before tasting defeat in December 2023 in South Africa. The Proteas hammered India by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion in a game that only last three days. Preceding that result, India had beaten South Africa (2021) after successive Boxing Day Test wins in Australia in 2018 and 2020.
Overall, India have played 18 Boxing Day Tests, winning four, losing 11 and three drqwn games.
India’s overall record in the Boxing Day Tests ahead of Thursday’s match in Melbourne:
Played: 18
Won: 4
Lost: 11
Drawn: 3
Last Result: Lost to South Africa by innings and 32 runs (Centurion, 2023)
India’s Test record in Melbourne:
Similar to their overall Boxing Day Test record, India have only won four Tests in 14 appearances in Melbourne against Australia. Interestingly, India’s last defeat at the venue came back in 2011.
India’s MCG Test record:
Played: 14
Won: 4
Draw: 2
Loss: 8
India Boxing Day Results
1985 vs Australia – Match Drawn (Melbourne)
1987 vs West Indies – Match Drawn (Eden Gardens)
1991 vs Australia – Lost by 8 wickets (Melbourne)
1992 vs South Africa – Lost by 9 wickets (Gqeberha)
1996 vs South Africa – Lost by 328 runs (Durban)
1998 vs New Zealand – Lost by 4 wickets (Wellington)
1999 vs Australia – Lost by 180 runs (Melbourne)
2003 vs Australia – Lost by 9 wickets (Melbourne)
2006 vs South Africa – Lost by 174 runs (Durban)
2007 vs Australia – Lost by 337 runs (Melbourne)
2009 vs 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 Drawn (Melbourne)
2018 vs Australia – Won by 137 runs (Melbourne)
2020 vs Australia – Won by 8 wickets (Melbourne)
2021 vs South Africa – Won by 113 runs (Centurion)
2023 vs South Africa – Lost by innings and 32 runs (Centurion)
Highest individual scores by Indians in Boxing Day Tests
Virender Sehwag – 195(223) – 2003 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Virat Kohli – 169(272) – 2014 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Ajinkya Rahane – 147(171) – 2014 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Best bowling spells by Indians in Boxing Day Tests
Jasprit Bumrah – 6/33 – 2018 vs Australia (Melbourne)
Ravindra Jadeja – 6/138 – 2013 vs South Africa (Durban)
Anil Kumble – 6/176 – 2003 vs Australia (Melbourne)
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