Credit: ICC
It seems that there's a genuine reason as to why one calls Test cricket 'real cricket'. And the reason for that could actually be simple. It is that very format of cricket, which makes one slog, tire endlessly and pursue beyond one's normal course the path to seek glory. But then, there's some added depth to this as well. The reason why Test cricket is also considered the true litmus test of measuring an individual and his team's prowess and capability stems from the fact that it isn't always easy to contest in the format- some of the past era's most glorious teams, up to this very point, tend to have faltered in various contests and been found wanting.
Think of an example about an underlining predicament of Team India in terms of Test match cricket. There are several stadiums where, as on date, Team India hasn't performed even closest to its real strengths and has, therefore remained bereft of a win. There are 5 stadiums where Team India hasn't won a test or a single test as one would put it. Let us find out which venues are these:
Let's look at five Cricket stadiums where Team India Has Never Won a Single Test Match:
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Thus far, as on date, India have only played eight test matches here and but again the reason why Edgbaston remains among the 5 stadiums where Team India hasn’t won a single test is down to the fact that the number of losses suffered here are hard to ignore or be placed under the carpet. So why is that and what is that prominent number? As a matter of fact, the venue of India’s most recent or latest Test contest against England shows India desperately looking for a soft spot, even if it is hard to locate. India lost 7 tests at this particular venue and even if one were to examine England’s latest test team line up, it surely seems that winning a contest here- something which hasn't really happened thus far- won't come easy. The team has players of the class of Duckett and Stokes and there are all rounders like Woakes in there as well. Will they make it easy for India? It's anybody's call.
In the past, India have struggled to pick too many wickets at this venue and despite having had tremendously talented batters in a Dravid or Sir Gavaskar or Tendulkar, Edgbaston has seen India struggling to cos up with the goods as a team unit. Even under Kohli’s captaincy a little over half a decade ago, India struggled, even if at times, came closer to dominating at Edgbaston.
Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium
One of the most iconic and widely noted cricket venues of all also happens to be among the 5 stadiums where Team India hasn’t won a single test as on date.
This famous Pakistani venue has often been used repeatedly for hosting the contests belonging longest format of the game. However, while this has been one of Pakistan cricket’s famous hunting grounds, Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium happens to be a venue where India are yet to win a game and the way things are going between the two nations, one can’t really think or anticipate as to when might team India actually travel to Pakistan or to this venue, to be specific, in a bid to improve its ordinary record.
But having said that, there’s a thing that stands out about this venue in terms of India’s performance even as it hasn’t culminated into a win, as on date.
While India has only played seven games here, the team has lost only two test matches here. This is interesting. Having said that, there have been five separate draws here in Lahore and even as India’s number of defeats here don’t really point to a glaring or concerning picture.
The wicket here has usually been one that tends to lean toward or favour the batters with there not being much for the bowlers.
Karachi’s national stadium
Right now where it stands, Team India hasn’t played a game of Test cricket in Pakistan for nearly two decades. And that, in itself, is a huge vacuum of sorts. But in the contests held here prior to that period of time, it wasn’t that India held an exuberant or dominant record at the venue.
As on date, among the stadiums where Team India hasn’t won a single test includes Karachi, rather surprising that it may sound.
It could be argued that India hasn’t played Test cricket in Pakistan since 2006.
But even before that, teams from India weren’t really able to compete as well or regularly as they may have liked and are yet to win even a single Test match here. What makes this a tad bit disappointing is that no win comes from having played no fewer six attempts or six previous Test matches.
That leaves us wondering just how many games has India lost at this particular venue? To that end, the answer is three but having also drawn exactly that many contests here. Now, one of the most shattering defeats for India at Karachi’s stadium happened back in the year 1982.
This defeat was by an innings and 86 runs.
And it was the very venue where former all format cricketer Irfan Pathan took his famous hat trick, becoming an overnight sensation all thanks to his great understanding of the wicket and that truly incredible bowling spell.
Old Trafford at Manchester
Once again, another stadium or cricketing venue that counts among the 5 stadiums where Team India hasn’t won a single test happens to be a dominant hunting ground for the host team- England. Just something about Manchester’s historic cricketing venues hasn’t sat or gone well with the cricketing ability of Team India, which is otherwise a very powerful unit. But then what has happened and why has it happened?
What’s the biggest cause of concern here for Team India is simply the fact that despite having nine attempts to breach the victory mark, India haven’t quite managed a solitary victory here and this must be coming to haunt the visiting side, what do you reckon? Interestingly, at this very venue, Team India have tried to prevail and escape the jaws of defeat, something truly evident in the form of its five drawn test contests here. It was back in the year 1952, where India lost a test here by a huge margin, that of an inning and 207 runs.
The most memorable Test match for Team India came here back in the year 1990, when the then little genius, now a great icon of the game, SachinTendulkar struck a great century to help India reach a draw.
Rather remarkably, this happened to be Tendulkar’s maiden test century of his career.
Kensington Oval, at Barbados
You think of Barbados and you almost always think of the West Indian supremacy here the famed land of the iconic Sir Sobers being a famous fortress for the hosts West Indies. But then on the other hand, you also think of this exceptional, very iconic cricket ground as being the bogeyman in terms of cricket stadiums for India. Why?
Simply because as on date, Barbados happens to feature on the list of stadiums where Team India hasn’t won a single test. And if that is not a reason for disconsolation, then what will suffice? One will always remember and rather begrudgingly the fact that back in 1997-98 season, team India had to chase down just 120 runs for a victory with the side having famous and exceptional batters like Tendulkar and Dravid and yet, the entire team bundled out for just 81 runs and that’s about that. As on date, India has lost 7 test matches here, which is quite a number, isn’t it?
Also Read: 5 Most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ):
Q1. Which stadium has led to one of India's most disappointing test defeats?
At Old Trafford in Manchester, Team India lost a contest by a margin of an inning and 207 runs
Q2. Is there a stadium where India were to chase a paltry total and yet lost?
At Bridgetown, Barbados's Kensington Oval, India lost a contest horridly, getting 81 all out back in the day
Q3. Which Pakistan venues feature on this list?
Two venues, in particular, find a mention in this ghastly list- Lahore's Gaddafi stadium and Karachi's nation stadium where India have fared poorly in the past
