2024 – India crush England in Dharamsala Test

After three consecutive defeats followed England's historic win in the first Test against India, their hopes of saving face with victory in the final Test ended in a heap of wickets on the third day in Dharamsala. R Ashwin, playing his 100th Test, took a five-wicket haul as England collapsed, handing India a 4-1 series win. Joe Root’s 84 was England's only resistance, while James Anderson claimed his 700th Test wicket, becoming the third bowler in history to achieve the milestone.

2015 – England’s World Cup embarrassment

In a must-win group stage match at the ICC Cricket World Cup, England suffered a shocking defeat to Bangladesh in Adelaide. Mahmudullah’s maiden World Cup century (103) and Mushfiqur Rahim’s steady 89 set up a competitive target of 275. England’s batting crumbled under pressure, with only Jos Buttler (65) offering resistance. Rubel Hossain’s fiery spell of 4 for 53 ensured Bangladesh won by 15 runs, knocking England out of the tournament in the group stage.

2014 – Sri Lanka-England Kandy chaos

The second Test between Sri Lanka and England in Kandy was marred by several controversial umpiring decisions and intense on-field exchanges. Sanath Jayasuriya’s dismissal sparked a heated argument, while Mike Atherton clashed with Kumar Sangakkara over a disputed catch. Despite the chaos, England secured a narrow three-wicket win, thanks to Graham Thorpe’s composed innings and Nasser Hussain’s gritty leadership under pressure.

2001 – Sri Lanka-England drama in Kandy

England and Sri Lanka played out one of the most controversial Test matches in history, with umpiring decisions heavily influencing the outcome. England bowler Darren Gough was left fuming after several close LBW appeals were turned down. However, Graham Thorpe's resilient knock and Nasser Hussain’s captaincy guided England to a three-wicket win, securing a crucial victory in the series.

2000 – Sri Lanka clinch series in Pakistan

Sri Lanka pulled off a remarkable 57-run win over Pakistan in Peshawar to clinch a historic series victory. Muttiah Muralitharan was the architect of the win, claiming ten wickets in the match, while Russel Arnold’s gritty 99 helped set a challenging target. Pakistan’s batting crumbled under pressure, giving Sri Lanka their second consecutive series win on Pakistani soil.

1998 – Tendulkar’s masterclass against Australia

In a high-profile Test match against Australia in Chennai, Sachin Tendulkar played one of the most defining innings of his career. Facing the legendary Shane Warne on a turning pitch, Tendulkar attacked fearlessly, scoring an unbeaten 155 to set up India’s 179-run victory. His dominant stroke play, particularly his footwork against Warne, remains one of the most celebrated moments in Indian cricket history.

1996 – Sri Lanka demolish England in World Cup

In the 1996 World Cup quarter-final, Sri Lanka delivered a brutal assault on England. Sanath Jayasuriya set the stage on fire with a whirlwind 82 off 44 balls, taking apart England’s bowling attack. Sri Lanka chased down the 235-run target in just 40 overs, winning with ten overs to spare. This emphatic win showcased Sri Lanka’s aggressive approach, which ultimately led them to their maiden World Cup triumph.

1996 – India knocks Pakistan out of World Cup

One of the most intense World Cup quarter-finals took place in Bangalore, where India clashed with arch-rivals Pakistan. Ajay Jadeja’s explosive 45 off 25 balls, particularly his assault on Waqar Younis in the final overs, lifted India to 287. Despite a strong start from Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar, Pakistan crumbled under pressure, and India secured a 39-run win. The loss triggered a massive backlash in Pakistan, marking the end of Javed Miandad’s World Cup career.

1987 – Phil Mead, England's run machine

Born on this day, Phil Mead remains one of England’s greatest first-class batsmen. He amassed 55,061 first-class runs, the fourth-highest tally in history, and scored 153 centuries. His patience and technique made him a key player for Hampshire and England, and his legacy as a run machine continues to inspire cricketers.

1985 – Parthiv Patel’s birthday

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was born on this day in 1985. He made his Test debut in 2002 at just 17 years old, becoming India’s youngest-ever Test wicketkeeper. While his early career was marked by struggles with the gloves, he remained a consistent domestic performer and made a comeback to the Indian team in 2016. Under his leadership, Gujarat won their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2016-17.

1971 – India's historic first series win in West Indies

India secured their first-ever Test series victory in the West Indies by winning the Port of Spain Test. Sunil Gavaskar, making his debut series, played a crucial role with a century (112), while S. Venkataraghavan’s six-wicket haul helped seal the victory. This win was a major milestone in Indian cricket history, marking the rise of India as a competitive force in Test cricket.

1968 – New Zealand's first-ever Test win over India

New Zealand defeated India for the first time in Test history, winning by six wickets in Dunedin. Bevan Congdon’s patient innings and Bruce Taylor’s all-round brilliance played a crucial role in the victory. The win was a breakthrough moment for New Zealand, proving they could compete with the cricketing giants.

1958 – West Indies demolish Pakistan

In a dominant display, West Indies crushed Pakistan in Bridgetown, setting the stage for a historic series. Legendary all-rounder Garry Sobers and Rohan Kanhai played pivotal roles as the hosts secured an innings victory. Later in the series, Sobers would go on to score 365*, setting the record for the highest individual Test score at the time.

1949 – Last-minute England win in Port Elizabeth

In a thrilling Test match against South Africa, England secured a last-minute victory in Port Elizabeth. With only a minute left before the game would end in a draw, Jack Crapp’s late heroics ensured England won by three wickets. The win sealed a 2-0 series victory for England.

1944 – Lee Irvine’s birth

South African cricketer Lee Irvine was born on this day. Although he played only four Test matches, he was a part of South Africa’s historic 4-0 series win against Australia in 1969-70. Unfortunately, his international career was cut short due to South Africa’s exclusion from world cricket during the apartheid era.