The IND vs AUS 4th Test match is expected to be iconic for many reasons. Firstly, after three Test matches, neither team is leading the series, showcasing the full competitiveness of this ongoing India vs Australia clash. In the first Test, we saw how India thrashed Australia by 295 runs, whereas in the second, it was Australia who won the fight. The third Test was interrupted by rain, leading to less cricket being played and no result, despite Travis Head and Steve Smith scoring centuries for Australia and Jasprit Bumrah taking a six-wicket haul for India. Now, all eyes are on the MCG, which is set to host a Boxing Day Test match between these two top Test-playing nations. But have you ever wondered where the term Boxing Day came from and what its significance is? Since India is all set to play the Boxing Day Test against Australia starting on 26th December, let’s see what a Boxing Day Test is and its significance.
What is Boxing Day?
To understand why December 26 is popularly known as Boxing Day, there are several stories surrounding its origin. Many believe that this date got its name because alms boxes placed in churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen. Also, many helpers were given presents on this day for their extra work on Christmas Day, and hence it became known as Boxing Day.
In nations that fall under the Southern Hemisphere, such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, this day is treated as one of the most significant on their calendars.
These countries host numerous sporting events on this day, but the most popular is the cricket match held at Australia’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Now this stadium will host the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, where India is set to play against Australia.
Looking back through a historical lens from a cricketing perspective, the first Boxing Day match happened way back in 1892 between Victoria and New South Wales. It was a Sheffield Shield clash played over the Christmas period. December 26, however, was just one of the scheduled playing days and not the starting date of that match.
The first official Boxing Day Test match was played during the 1950–51 Ashes series. The match started on December 22 and ended on December 27, with the fourth day of the Test falling on Boxing Day. Australia won the thriller by just 28 runs.
India record in Boxing Day Test matches in Australia
Speaking about the Indian team, they first played a Boxing Day Test match in Australia in 1985 and have regularly visited the MCG since then. India has participated in the Boxing Day Test on nine occasions: 1985, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2020, winning 2, losing 5, and drawn 2.
| Year | Batting First | Result |
| 1985 | Australia | Draw |
| 1991 | India | Australia won by 8 wickets |
| 1999 | Australia | Australia won by 180 runs |
| 2003 | India | Australia won by 9 wickets |
| 2007 | Australia | Australia won by 337 runs |
| 2011 | Australia | Australia won by 122 runs |
| 2014 | Australia | Draw |
| 2018 | India | India won by 137 runs |
| 2020 | Australia | India won by 8 wickets |
India record in Boxing Day Test matches in South Africa
India also travelled to the Rainbow Nation, South Africa, to play a Boxing Day Test, with their first match taking place in 1992 at St George’s Park. It was an iconic series between the two nations, marking the time when South Africa gained recognition after its re-entry into international cricket following readmission in 1991.
India has played six Boxing Day Test matches in South Africa, all of which have resulted in a decisive outcome. South Africa won four of these, while India has won the last two matches so far.
| Year | Batting First | Result |
| 1992 | India | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| 1996 | South Africa | South Africa won by 328 runs |
| 2006 | South Africa | South Africa won by 174 runs |
| 2010 | India | India won by 87 runs |
| 2013 | India | South Africa won by 10 wickets |
| 2021 | India | India won by 113 runs |
