India set to play 600th Test, marking a journey of milestones and memories

New Delhi: Indian cricket team will enter another landmark chapter on Saturday when it takes the field against Sri Lanka in Galle for its 600th Test match, completing a remarkable journey that began with its debut against England at Lord’s in 1932.

India’s milestone Tests have produced a fascinating mix of disappointment, triumph and hard-fought cricket. Of the six landmark matches — from the first Test to the upcoming 600th — India have won three, lost two and drawn one.

India’s journey began with the 1932 Test against England at Lord's, which ended in defeat. Led by CK Nayudu, India became the sixth nation to play Test cricket. The historic debut, however, resulted in a 158-run loss to England.

The 100th Test came 35 years later, again against England, this time in Birmingham in 1967. India, captained by Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, went down by 132 runs, extending the pattern of defeats in their early milestone matches.

At the 200th Test, India faced Pakistan in Lahore in 1982. The match ended as draw. Sunil Gavaskar was the captain. Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan hammered a double century as India conceded a 106-run first innings lead. This Test was the first of the six Test matches India were to play in Pakistan that year.

The fortunes changed at the 300th Test. India defeated South Africa in Ahmedabad in 1996 by 64 runs, with Mohammed Azharuddin leading the side. The victory gave India their first win in a landmark Test. Javagal Srinath picked 6/21 in second innings after VVS Laxman scored a crucial half-century.

A decade later, India played their 400th Test against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2006. The match ended in an India win, with Rahul Dravid captaining India. Dravid was the Man of the Match with 81 and 68 in two innings of the Test.

India's 500th Test, against New Zealand in Kanpur in 2016, brought another landmark victory. Led by Virat Kohli, India defeated New Zealand by 197 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin playing key roles with both ball and bat. Jadeja was adjudged Player of the Match with 42 not out and 52 not out and 5/73 in first innings.

Now, 10 years after the 500th Test, India are ready to complete another milestone. The 600th Test against Sri Lanka under Shubman Gill's captaincy will add another chapter to a Test journey spanning 94 years — from Nayudu's team at Lord’s in 1932 to the modern Indian side preparing to take the field in Galle.

Tags : Indian cricket team, Sri Lanka, 600th Test, Shubman Gill, Galle, Shubman Gill