![India won their last Independence Day Test match under Kohli [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1786706850583_IndiawontheirlastIndependenceDayTestmatchunderKohli.jpg?type=hq)
India won their last Independence Day Test match under Kohli [Source: AFP]
It has been five years since India last played a Test match on Independence Day, but that streak is set to end as the Shubman Gill-led side will take on Sri Lanka in the first Test match in Galle on August 15. The match holds utmost importance as Team India will look to start the series with an emphatic win.
India have played five Test matches on this auspicious day, and interestingly, this would be the third time they’ll cross paths with Sri Lanka in a Test match on Independence Day.
Ahead of this landmark day (15th August), we take a look at how the Indian side has fared in Tests that took place on Independence Day.
1) India vs England, 1952 at Kennington Oval
England batted first, and the match was affected by rain as the hosts scored 326/6 in their first innings, courtesy of a century from David Sheppard. In reply, the Indian batters struggled and crumbled under pressure.
The visitors were bundled out for a paltry 98, but the match was a drawn affair as rain snatched an easy win from England’s hands.
2) India vs Sri Lanka, 2001 at Galle
In 2001, 49 years after India played its first match on Independence Day, the Asian side played another Test on this auspicious day, this time against Sri Lanka at Galle.
The Test match started on August 14, and it was one to forget for the Indian team led by Sourav Ganguly. The Indian side batted first and got bundled out for a mere 187 as Dilhara Fernando scalped a fifer to stun them.
The Lankan Lions scored 362 runs in their first innings before India crumbled and were dismissed for 180 runs in their second innings. The hosts needed just 6 runs to win, and they target was achieved without any fuss.
3) India vs England, 2014 at Kennington Oval
The third time India played a Test match on August 15 was against England in the 2014 Test series. It was the fifth match, and India batted first as the MS Dhoni-led side failed to deliver the goods.
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The Asian team got bundled out for a paltry 148, with Dhoni’s 82 being the highest score from the team. In reply, Joe Root produced a batting masterclass as he smashed 149 runs and helped the hosts score 486.
In reply, India got dismissed for 94 as England convincingly won the Test match by an innings and 244 runs.
4) India vs Sri Lanka, 2015 at Galle
The second time India played an Independence Day Test match in Galle was during the 2015 tour, and it was the first Test of the series. Sri Lanka batted first and posted 183 runs as R Ashwin dominated them with a 6-wicket haul.
In reply, India scored 375, courtesy of stellar centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli. The hosts bounced back in their second innings as Dinesh Chandimal slammed 162 runs to help set a target of 176.
India were the favourites to win the game, but Rangana Herath spun his web and bagged a 7-wicket haul to stun the Virat Kohli-led Indian team.
5) India vs England, 2021 at Lord's
The last time India played a Test match on Independence Day was against England during the 2021 tour. The Test was played at Lord’s, and India dominated the proceedings to win the game.
The visitors batted first and posted 364 runs, courtesy of a sublime century from opener KL Rahul. In reply, England were dismissed for 391 runs as captain Joe Root smashed 180 runs.
In their second innings, India scored 298/8, all thanks to a lower-order assault from Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah. The pair of Bumrah and Shami added 89 runs and set up a target of 272 for England.
England crumbled in the run-chase as they were bundled out for just 120 runs.
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