look news india
New Delhi. Boxing Day, celebrated on 26 December in the last month of the year, is not only a holiday but also a special day for cricket lovers. The test match played on this day is known as ‘Boxing-Day Test’. This tradition started in Australia. A Test match was first played on 26 December 1892 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the day after Christmas. From then till today this match was named Boxing-Day Test.
Boxing Day Test between India and Australia
Every year on 26 December, the Boxing-Day Test between India and Australia is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This year too, the fourth Test match will be played between the two teams from 26 to 30 December. There is tremendous excitement among the fans about this match.
Huge demand for tickets for Boxing Day Test
The popularity of the Boxing Day Test can be gauged from the fact that all the opening day tickets have been sold out 16 days before the start of the match. The madness of the fans for this match to be held at Melbourne Cricket Ground is at its peak. Such rapid sale of tickets indicates that this time too the stadium will be packed.
Record breaking enthusiasm of spectators in Adelaide Test
Earlier in the Adelaide Test, Australia defeated India by 10 wickets and leveled the series at 1-1. During the Adelaide Test, a total of 1,35,012 spectators reached the stadium in three days. This number also surpassed the record of the previous 2014–15 Test (1,13,009 spectators over five days). It is expected that this time more spectators will come to watch the Boxing-Day Test match than Adelaide.
India’s performance in the Boxing Day Test
Many memorable matches have been played between India and Australia in the Boxing Day Test. Let us know how India’s record has been in the Boxing Day Test:
| Year | outcome | opening day audience | total attendance | johnny mulag medal winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | draw | 18,146 | 77,715 | alan border |
| 1991 | Australia won by 8 wickets | 42,494 | 89,369 | bruce reed |
| 1999 | Australia won by 180 runs | 49,082 | 134,554 | Sachin Tendulkar |
| 2003 | Australia won by 9 wickets | 62,613 | 179,662 | ricky ponting |
| 2007 | Australia won by 337 runs | 68,465 | 166,663 | Matthew Hayden |
| 2011 | Australia won by 122 runs | 70,068 | 189,347 | james pattinson |
| 2014 | draw | 69,993 | 194,481 | ryan harris |
| 2018 | India won by 137 runs | 73,516 | 176,539 | Jasprit Bumrah |
| 2020 | India won by 8 wickets | 27,615 | 89,472 | Ajinkya Rahane |
What is special this time?
- Huge viewership: This time too a large number of spectators are expected to reach the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- Thrill of the series: Every match between India and Australia is exciting. Both the teams are known for their excellent performance.
- Attention-grabbing match: Boxing Day Test is not just a match but a tradition which fans wait for all year long.