In the much awaited Boxing Day Test, India will play Australia at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Intriguingly, after three games in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 is tied-1.
After playing 14 games, the Asian powerhouses had a poor overall record in Melbourne, with four victories, two draws, and eight losses. But their recent record at the gorgeous MCG, where they have gone three games without losing since 2014, will give them a lot of hope. India defeated Australia by eight wickets in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne during their last trip in 2020–2021.
Regarding India’s performance in Boxing Day Tests, the two-time World Test Championship (WTC) finalists have played 18 games and finished with four victories, eleven defeats, and three ties. In 2023, they lost to South Africa by an innings and thirty-two runs in Centurion, their most recent Boxing Day Test outcome.
India Boxing Day Results
| Year | Versus | Result | Venue |
| 1985 | Australia | Draw | Melbourne |
| 1987 | West Indies | Draw | Kolkata |
| 1991 | Australia | Lost by 8 wickets | Melbourne |
| 1992 | South Africa | Lost by 9 wickets | Gqeberha |
| 1996 | South Africa | Lost by 328 runs | Durban |
| 1998 | New Zealand | Lost by 4 wickets | Wellington |
| 1999 | Australia | Lost by 180 runs | Melbourne |
| 2003 | Australia | Lost by 9 wickets | Melbourne |
| 2006 | South Africa | Lost by 174 runs | Durban |
| 2007 | Australia | Lost by 337 runs | Melbourne |
| 2009 | South Africa | Won by 87 runs | Durban |
| 2011 | Australia | Lost by 122 runs | Melbourne |
| 2013 | South Africa | Lost by 10 wickets | Durban |
| 2014 | Australia | Draw | Melbourne |
| 2018 | Australia | Won by 137 runs | Melbourne |
| 2020 | Australia | Won by 8 wickets | Melbourne |
| 2021 | South Africa | Won by 113 runs | Centurion |
| 2023 | South Africa | Lost by an innings and 32 runs | Centurion |
In the meantime, the record for the highest individual score by an Indian player in a Boxing Day Test is held by Virender Sehwag. In 2003, the former opener hit a stunning 195 off 223 balls against Australia. The second-highest score, however, was set by Virat Kohli in 2014 with 169 off 272 deliveries.
Highest individual scores by Indians in Boxing Day Tests
| Name | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Virender Sehwag | 195 (223) | Australia | Melbourne | 2003 |
| Virat Kohli | 169 (272) | Australia | Melbourne | 2014 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 147 (171) | Australia | Melbourne | 2014 |
Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, has the best Boxing Day Test statistics of any Indian bowler. In 2018, he accomplished this record in Melbourne by taking 6/33 in Australia’s opening innings. On this list, he is followed by Anil Kumble and Ravindra Jadeja.
Best bowling spells by Indians in Boxing Day Tests
| Name | Best Figures | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 6/33 | Australia | Melbourne | 2018 |
| Anil Kumble | 6/138 | South Africa | Durban | 2013 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 6/176 | Australia | Melbourne | 2003 |
Home