India and Australia will play the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) beginning on December 26, which also happens to be the famous Boxing Day Test.
A cricket match known as a “Boxing Day Test” starts every year on December 26, the day after Christmas.
Currently poised at 1-1 in the five-match Test series, India will try to win the fourth Test, which would give them a 2-1 lead and increase their chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
India’s Record in Boxing Day Tests
India has competed in nine Boxing Day Tests to date. The inaugural Boxing Day Test between India and Australia occurred in 1985 and concluded in a draw. Australia dominated the fixture by securing five consecutive wins in subsequent encounters. However, the 2014 Boxing Day Test resulted in a draw, and in 2018, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India achieved their maiden Boxing Day Test victory. They followed it up with another triumph in 2020, marking consecutive wins in this prestigious tradition.
Boxing Day Tests Record
| No. | Year | Opposition | Venue | Result |
| 1 | 1967 | Australia | Adelaide | Lost by 146 runs |
| 2 | 1979 | Pakistan | Kanpur | Draw |
| 3 | 1981 | England | Delhi | Draw |
| 4 | 1983 | West Indies | Chennai | Draw |
| 5 | 1987 | West Indies | Kolkata | Draw |
| 6 | 1985 | Australia | Melbourne | Draw |
| 7 | 1991 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 8 | 1992 | South Africa | Gqeberha | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 9 | 1996 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 328 runs |
| 10 | 1998 | New Zealand | Wellington | Lost by 4 wickets |
| 11 | 1999 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 180 runs |
| 12 | 2003 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 13 | 2006 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 174 runs |
| 14 | 2007 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 337 runs |
| 15 | 2010 | South Africa | Durban | Won by 87 runs |
| 16 | 2011 | Australia | Melbourne | Lost by 122 runs |
| 17 | 2013 | South Africa | Durban | Lost by 10 wickets |
| 18 | 2014 | Australia | Melbourne | Draw |
| 19 | 2018 | Australia | Melbourne | Won by 137 runs |
| 20 | 2020 | Australia | Melbourne | Won by 8 wickets |
| 21 | 2021 | South Africa | Centurion | Won by 113 runs |
| 22 | 2023 | South Africa | Centurion | Lost by an innings and 32 runs |
What is a Boxing Day Test Match?
The match that begins the day after Christmas each year is known as the Boxing Day Test. In other words, a Test match with a December 26 start date. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are among the nations in the southern hemisphere where these tests are currently conducted.
After Christmas, it is customary in churches to open gift boxes, which is how the Test match got its name.
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