India have played Boxing Day Test total nine times - 1985, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018 and now in 2020.
India's had a task to accomplish when they faced Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Test series after the Adelaide humiliation. They made a great comeback as they defeated Australia in a Boxing Day Test by eight wickets.
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has hosted the Boxing Day Test match every year between the Australian side and any side which is on that particular tour.
The Boxing Day Tests have a very rich history especially in Australia and since playing their first Boxing Day Test in 1985, the Men in Blue have been frequent visitors to the MCG. The side has played Boxing Day Test total nine times - 1985, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018 and now in 2020.
While India's loss in all the Boxing Day Tests came in big margins, it was in 2018, that the tables were turned. The Virat Kohli-led side rode on Cheteshwar Pujara’s century to register a massive 137-run win over the hosts.
Overall record:
India in Boxing Day Tests- 8 Matches, 1 win, 2 draws, 5 losses
Australia Boxing Day Tests in Australia - 39 matches, 25 wins, 7 draw, 7 losses
In 2018, Jasprit Bumrah had made his Test debut on the South African tour. Coming into the game with series in balance, India made a statement with the bat. Cheteshwar Pujara's determined century and contributions from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal helped India post 443/7 in their first innings.
Without David Warner and Steve Smith in the squad, it was a huge task for Australia, however, Bumrah made it more difficult. After Ishant Sharma sent opener Aaron Finch back, Bumrah capitalised on Australia's weak middle-order and ran through the line-up in a quick time.
Bumrah unsettled the already unsettled Aussie line-up as the pacer ended with figures of 6/33. Bumrah took three more wickets in the second innings as India wrapped up the game. Bumrah took the Player of the Match award, with figures of 9/86 as India won the series 2-1 after the last Test in Sydney was a draw.
In 1981, India had a similar feat. Though it was not a Boxing Day Test, the clash was held at the iconic Melbourne stadium and India, 39 years ago, were in a worse position. They started batting in the third innings and were 0-1 in the last Test of a three-match series. They had a clear deficit of 182 runs and set Australia a target. They were trailing, struggling and were even looking for another defeat.
Australia had won the toss, Dennis Lillee scalped four wickets and restricted India to 237 – 114 of which came from GR Viswanath. Border steered his team to a position of dominance. His 124 helped Australia make 419 and lead India by 182.
Captain Sunil Gavaskar and fellow opener Chetan Chauhan put on a 165-run stand. India made 324, setting Australia a modest 143-run target.
Karsan Ghavri’s early double-wicket burst – wherein he got rid of opener John Dyson and rival skipper Greg Chappell cheaply — set the tone. Kapil Dev, then, bowled one of his best spells. He bowled Kim Hughes, Rod Marsh and Lillee; got Border caught behind and trapped the last man Jim Higgs to help India win.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Boxing Day Test")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}