India Nears 600th Test: Five Landmark Victories That Defined Its Red-Ball History

NEW DELHI — India is preparing to reach another major milestone in Test cricket, with its upcoming match against Sri Lanka in Galle set to become the team’s 600th appearance in the longest format.

The first Test begins Aug. 15, coinciding with India’s 80th Independence Day and adding another layer of significance to the occasion. India will become only the third country, after England and Australia, to play 600 Test matches.

Captain Shubman Gill called it an honor to lead India in such a historic game, particularly on Independence Day.

As India approaches the milestone, here are five victories that stand out among the most memorable moments in the country’s Test history.

Port of Spain, 1976: India Chases Down 403

India produced one of the most remarkable run chases of its era against the West Indies in Port of Spain, successfully hunting down a target of 403.

At the time, only one team had ever chased more than 400 to win a Test.

India entered the final day needing another 269 runs, with Sunil Gavaskar scoring 102 and Gundappa Viswanath adding 112 to propel Bishan Singh Bedi’s team to an improbable victory.

Gavaskar later wrote in his autobiography Sunny Days that he had believed India could save the match but had not seriously considered the possibility of winning it.

The result became one of the defining victories of Indian cricket’s early Test history.

Kolkata, 2001: Laxman and Dravid Turn the Match Around

India’s victory over Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001 remains one of the most celebrated comebacks in Test cricket.

After Australia scored 445, India was dismissed for 171 and forced to follow on. Facing a 274-run deficit, the hosts appeared headed for defeat.

Instead, V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid transformed the match with a 376-run fifth-wicket partnership. India eventually declared at 657 for seven, setting Australia a difficult final-day challenge.

Harbhajan Singh, who had taken a hat trick earlier in the match, then helped dismantle the Australian batting order as India completed a stunning 171-run victory.

Adelaide, 2003: Dravid Leads India Past Australia

Rahul Dravid delivered one of the finest performances of his career as India defeated Australia in Adelaide in 2003.

Australia appeared firmly in control after reaching 556 in its first innings, but Dravid responded with 233 and Laxman contributed 148 as India fought back to 523.

Ajit Agarkar then changed the course of the match with figures of 6 for 41, helping dismiss Australia for 196 in the second innings.

India was left needing 230 to win, and Dravid once again led the chase. His unbeaten 72 guided India to a four-wicket victory on the final day.

Brisbane, 2021: A Depleted India Ends Australia’s Gabba Streak

India arrived at the Gabba in January 2021 with a squad ravaged by injuries and missing several senior players, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja.

Australia had not lost a Test at the Brisbane venue in 32 years.

India stayed in the contest through important lower-order contributions from Shardul Thakur and debutant Washington Sundar, before Mohammed Siraj took five wickets in Australia’s second innings.

That left India needing 328 to win.

Shubman Gill scored 91, while Rishabh Pant produced an unbeaten 89 to carry India to a dramatic three-wicket victory and secure a historic series win.

Lord’s, 2021: India’s Fast Bowlers Deliver Late Victory

Later that year, India pulled off another memorable overseas win against England at Lord’s.

The teams were closely matched after the first innings, with India scoring 364 before England responded with 391.

India’s second innings was rescued by an unexpected lower-order partnership between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, helping the visitors declare at 298 for eight.

England appeared well placed to save the match with less than two sessions remaining, but India’s fast bowlers produced a relentless final-day performance.

Mohammed Siraj took four wickets, Bumrah claimed three, Ishant Sharma added two and Shami took one as England was bowled out in 51.5 overs.

India won by 151 runs, adding another dramatic chapter to its growing record of memorable Test victories overseas.

The 600th Test in Galle will now give Gill’s team an opportunity to add another landmark moment to a history stretching back nearly a century.