94 Years After Debut, India Become 3rd Team In History To Play 600 Tests

Shubman Gill is leading India in their 600th Test as they relaunch their bid to qualify for the WTC final.

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India, led by Shubman Gill vs Sri Lanka, played its 600th Test, the 3rd nation to do so. This milestone, on India’s 80th Independence Day, is crucial for their WTC final qualification bid, a key moment in their 94-year Test history.

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Shubman Gill-led India are taking on Sriu Lanka in a two-match Test series. (AP Photo)

India entered an elite club in Test cricket on Saturday when they took the field against Sri Lanka in Galle for the two-match series opener. Led by Shubman Gill, India became only the third team after England and Australia to play 600 Tests, the latest milestone in a journey that began 94 years ago at Lord’s.

The contest, which got underway today, coincides with India’s 80th Independence Day, adding another layer of significance to an already historic occasion.

Gill won the toss and elected to bat first at the Galle International Stadium.

India’s Test journey began on June 25, 1932, when Colonel C.K. Nayudu led the side against England at Lord’s. Nayudu became India’s first Test captain after the Maharaja of Porbandar and his deputy withdrew on the eve of the match.

India though had to wait until 1951-52 for their first Test victory, when Vijay Hazare’s men defeated England by an innings and eight runs in Chennai.

Over the decades, India have transformed from a team struggling to find its feet in international cricket into one of the giants in the Test arena.

Their 100th Test came against England in Birmingham in 1967, followed by the 200th against Pakistan in Lahore in 1982, the 300th against South Africa in Ahmedabad in 1996 and the 400th against the West Indies in Jamaica in 2006.

India’s 500th Test was played against New Zealand at Green Park in Kanpur in 2016, when Virat Kohli was captain and India secured a 197-run victory.

Of their 599 Tests played so far, India have won 186 and lost 188. 224 have ended in a draw and one produced a tied match.

The 600th Test now marks another significant transition. Gill, who has taken over the Test captaincy in a new phase for Indian cricket, has the distinction of leading the side in the landmark fixture. He described the opportunity as a “huge honour” and said the occasion was made even more special by falling on Independence Day.

England remain the most experienced Test nation, with 1,097 matches, while Australia have played 883.

India start the two-Test Sri Lanka series sitting at the fifth spot in the World Test Championship standings after suffering a surprising defeat to South Africa at home last year.

The Sri Lanka series, therefore, is crucial to their hopes of making it to the final to be played next year.

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India’s 600th Test match against Sri Lanka is crucial for their World Test Championship (WTC) hopes, as they are currently in fifth place in the standings. The team is looking to qualify for the WTC final next year.

The West Indies cricket team is close to playing 600 Test matches, having played 596 as of August 2026.

Shubman Gill is leading India in their 600th Test match, which coincides with India’s 80th Independence Day, adding to the historical significance of the occasion. India is only the third team globally and the first Asian nation to reach this milestone.

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About the Author

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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