 "History is up against the Indian cricket team as they aim to make comeback in the fourth Test against England. Image: Reuters")
Shubman Gill’s Indian cricket team is on the brink of a series defeat against England in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy despite playing better cricket in most parts of the series. The Indian team currently trails 2-1 after their latest heartbreaking 22-run defeat at Lord’s in the third Test.
Gill and Co will be back on the field after a much-needed eight-day break as the fourth Test gets underway on 23 July against England at Manchester. While Ben Stokes’s England will be looking to wrap the series with a win at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, India will be tasked with not only avoiding a series defeat, but also scripting a comeback win and level the series, which will allow them to win the five-match series at The Oval in London.
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But head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill would be well aware of the history that is standing against them. No Indian team has ever managed to come back and win a five-match Test series in history after being 0-1 or 1-2 down after the third match of the series.
In fact, such an instance is extremely rare, with only three teams ever managing to win a five-match Test series after being 0-1 or 1-2 down after the third match of the series.
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The last such incident was in 1998 when England won the Test series against South Africa 2-1. England were 0-1 down till the third Test but won the last two matches to clinch the series.
The other instances are:
West Indies vs Australia in 1992/92 (West Indies trailed 0-1, but won 2-1)
Australia vs England in 1936/37 (Australia trailed 1-2, but won 3-2)
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTeam India, however, has come back to win a five-match Test series in the past after being 0-1 down. They won 4-1 against England in 2024 at home after losing the first Test match.