What is Boxing Day Test and How many Boxing Day Tests has India played?

By Kaif - Dec 23, 2024 01:05 PM
Last updated on Dec 23, 2024 01:05 PM
What is Boxing Day Test and How many Boxing Day Tests has India played?

IND vs AUS: The fourth match of the five-match Test series will be played between India and Australia from Thursday, December 26. This match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This Test match starting on December 26 is being called the Boxing Day Test. However, we will tell you the secret behind this name. We will tell you why the Test starting on December 26 is called Boxing Day and why such matches are played only in Melbourne in Australia. Let us know.

What is Boxing Day Test

The first Boxing Day Test was played in 1950. Every Test that starts on 26 December in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa is called the Boxing Day Test. India has played 16 such Tests so far. This Boxing Day Test has no connection with boxing or any such sport. Actually, the day after Christmas Day (25 December) is known as Boxing Day in many countries.

There are different stories about this day in different countries of the world. In many countries, its connection is told with the Christmas box, while in many places it is linked to the box given as a gift to the poor on the day of the festival in the church. The term 'Boxing Day Test' in cricket started in 1892. Rohit Sharma will be seen captaining for the first time in the Boxing Day Test.

Why is Boxing Day Test played?

  • The first story related to Boxing Day is that a box is kept in the church during Christmas. People who come to the church keep gifts for the poor and needy in this box. The box is opened the next day of Christmas and the gifts are distributed among the poor. Christian people also get married in the church. The gifts received in the wedding are kept in a box and there is a tradition of opening it on 26 December.
  • Actually, there is an interesting story behind Boxing Day. This day was named Boxing Day for those who work without taking leave even on Christmas day. Their work is praised on this day. The spirit of working without taking leave is called Boxing Day. Cricketers also play matches instead of staying at home during the festival, so due to this, Boxing Day was also connected with matches.
  • According to the calendar of Western Christianity, the day after Christmas Day (26 December) is called Boxing Day. In many countries like Ireland and Spain, it is also called St. Stephen's Day. This is because on the day after Christmas people gift each other Christmas (gift) boxes. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Boxing Day is the first day of the week after the Christmas holiday. After the holidays many people go to work and their bosses gift them boxes as Christmas gifts. That is why this day was named Boxing Day.

When did the word 'Boxing Day' get associated with cricket?

It is believed that Boxing Day entered cricket in 1892. In the same year, a match was played between Victoria and New South Wales during Christmas in the Sheffield Shield tournament at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground. After this, matches started being played between the two teams every year during Christmas and it became a tradition. Boxing Day was definitely included in every match. However, it was not necessary that the match should start on 26 December.

The first International Boxing Day Test match was played in the Ashes series in 1950-51. The match between Australia and England started on 22 December and the fifth day of the match fell on Boxing Day. Between 1953 and 1967, there was a period when no match was played on Boxing Day (26 December). The third match of the 1974-75 Ashes series started at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and on Boxing Day (26 December). This is where the Boxing Day Test started. Since then, all Boxing Day Test matches in Australia are played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

How many Boxing Day Tests has India played?

India has so far played Boxing Day Tests against Australia, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand. India has played a total of 16 Boxing Day Tests so far. The team has won four of these. It lost 10 and two were draws. India has won three of its last five Boxing Day Test matches. Last year, the team lost against South Africa by an innings and 32 runs.

India vs Australia Boxing-Day Test record

So far nine Boxing Day Test matches have been played between India and Australia. Out of these, Team India has won only two matches. Australia has won five matches. However, the best thing in this is that India has won the last two Boxing Day Tests between these two teams. In 2020, under the captaincy of Rahane, Team India won by eight wickets and in 2018 under the captaincy of Kohli, India won by 137 runs. The 2014 match was a draw. At the same time, from 1991 to 2011, Australia won five consecutive Boxing Day Tests. The first Boxing Day Test between the two was played in 1985, which was a draw.

Also Read: Australia announced the squad for the last 2 test matches against India

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