India is on the cusp of a historic Test victory at Edgbaston against England, a win that would not only end a 68-year drought at the venue but also extend their world record for winning at the most different Test grounds globally.
Chasing History at Edgbaston
The Test match at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham is poised for a thrilling conclusion. While rain might delay play, England faces a monumental target of 608 runs, having already lost three top-order wickets overnight with 72 on the board.
For captain Shubman Gill, securing this victory would mark his maiden Test win as skipper. More significantly, it would be India’s first-ever Test triumph at Edgbaston since 1967, breaking a long-standing jinx at the venue where they have remained winless across eight previous matches.
Interestingly, the only venue where India has played more Tests without a win is the Kensington Oval in Barbados, where they’ve had two draws and seven losses.
India’s Global Test Dominance
A victory in Birmingham would push India further ahead in a unique world record. Of the 85 different Test venues where India has played since their first official match in 1932, they have registered at least one Test win at 59 of them. This makes India the leading Test-playing nation in this regard.
Australia follows closely behind with Test wins at 57 venues, while England ranks third, having secured victories at 55 Test grounds. Clinching the match at Edgbaston would see India become the first side to conquer 60 different Test venues, solidifying their remarkable record.
Home and Away Success Stories
Breaking down India’s impressive record, 23 of their 59 venue wins have come on home soil. The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai stands out as their most successful home ground, boasting 16 Test victories.
When it comes to overseas venues, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia holds a special place. India has won four Tests there between 1977 and 2020, making it their most successful international venue.
In England, the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground has seen India win three Tests. However, it’s also the venue where India has faced the most losses worldwide, with a total of 12 defeats.
- India currently holds the world record for Test wins at the most venues (59).
- A win at Edgbaston would extend this record to 60 different Test grounds.
- India has been winless at Edgbaston across eight matches since 1967.
- The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is India’s most successful home venue with 16 wins.
- The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is India’s most successful overseas venue with 4 wins.
This potential victory at Edgbaston isn’t just about winning a single match; it’s about extending a significant legacy in the annals of Test cricket.
