It’s the team’s men’s 600th Test, which also happens to begin on Independence Day.
1 / 7 August 14-19, 1952 — The Oval, Test: This marked India's first international appearance on August 15 after independence, during the 1952 tour of England.
(ICC Photo)2 / 7 August 14-17, 2001 — Galle International Stadium, Test: India didn't play another Independence Day match in the century.
It was India's 2nd consecutive defeat in a Test that included the Independence Day.
Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling performance of 4 for 32 in the final innings then bowled England out for 120 on the final day.
Last Updated: August 14, 2026, 21:11 IST
India’s first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday (August 14) will be a special one for a couple of reasons. It’s the team’s men’s 600th Test, which also happens to begin on Independence Day. Speaking on the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka, captain Gill highlighted the significance of leading his country in such a historic match, describing the opportunity as a ‘big honour and privilege’.
1 / 7 August 14-19, 1952 — The Oval, Test: This marked India's first international appearance on August 15 after independence, during the 1952 tour of England. England posted 326 for six declared before India were bowled out for 98, with the match eventually washed out as a draw. Vijay Hazare (in photo) captained the team that day with the likes of Polly Umrigar, Vinoo Mankad and Vijay Manjrekar also in the 11. (ICC Photo)
2 / 7 August 14-17, 2001 — Galle International Stadium, Test: India didn't play another Independence Day match in the century. The next such game was against Sri Lanka in 2001, in a really challenging fixture. The team managed only 187 and 180 runs across their two innings. Sanath Jayasuriya scored a commanding century, while Muttiah Muralitharan claimed eight wickets in the match to hand the hosts a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. (Photo by ARKO DATTA / AFP)
ADVERTISEMENT
3 / 7 August 15-17, 2014 — The Kia Oval, Test: The five-Test series' finale concluded within three days as England completely dismantled the Indian batting order, bowling them out for 148 and 94. Joe Root was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 149, guiding England to a massive victory by an innings and 244 runs. It was India's 2nd consecutive defeat in a Test that included the Independence Day. (Photo by IAN KINGTON / AFP)
4 / 7 August 12-15, 2015 — Galle International Stadium, Test: Despite establishing a 192-run lead with first-innings centuries from Virat Kohli (103) and Shikhar Dhawan (134), India suffered a dramatic batting collapse on Independence Day. Chasing 176, the visitors were bowled out for 112, with Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath taking a devastating 7 for 48 to seal a 63-run win. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA / AFP)
ADVERTISEMENT
5 / 7 August 14, 2019 — Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, ODI: Although the match started on August 14 locally, it concluded in the early hours of August 15 according to Indian Standard Time (IST) and is widely recorded as India's first Independence Day men's cricket victory. In a rain-curtailed 35-over match, West Indies posted 240 for 7. Chasing a revised DLS target of 255, India secured a six-wicket win to clinch the series 2-0. Kohli anchored the chase with a dazzling, unbeaten 114—his 43rd ODI century—while sharing a game-changing 120-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who smashed a 41-ball 65 (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP)
6 / 7 August 12-16, 2021 — Lord's, Test: India achieved a historic and arguably their most famous Test win against England -- a 151-run triumph at the iconic venue, fueled by an unbeaten 89-run ninth-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling performance of 4 for 32 in the final innings then bowled England out for 120 on the final day. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
ADVERTISEMENT
