India and England will lock in on another potentially historic day of Test match cricket at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Sunday. While an early spell of rain may deprive India of some time to snare the seven remaining wickets, England will be hoping to put on a fight as they stare at a mammoth 608-run target, 72 of which have been acquired for the loss of three top-order wickets overnight.
It will be a landmark maiden Test victory for captain Shubman Gill, should his side pull off a victory over Ben Stokes and Co. before stumps this evening. A win will also end their 68-year wait for a win at Edgbaston. India have remained winless at the venue across eight matches since 1967. The Kensington Oval in Barbados is the only venue where India have played more Tests without a win, losing seven matches besides two draws at the venue.
However, a win in Birmingham could extend India’s world record for Test victories at most venues on a day where Australia could inch closer to them with a triumph over West Indies in Grenada. Having played at 85 different Test venues since their first official game in 1932, India have won at least one Test at 59 different grounds, ranking the best among all Test-playing nations. Australia stand second with Test wins at 57 venues, with England ranking third, winning at 55 Test grounds.
Of the 59 venues, India have recorded wins at 23 different venues at home, with most Test wins (16) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground remains the most successful overseas venue for India, with four wins between 1977 and 2020. In England, India have won most Tests (3) at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, also the venue (12) where they have lost matches than anywhere else in the world.
A historic Birmingham win will propel India further up ahead, becoming the first side to win at 60 Test venues.
Test wins at most venues
| Team | No. of venues won at | Most successful ground | Wins |
| India | 59 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 16 |
| Australia | 57 | MCG | 68 |
| England | 55 | Lord’s | 59 |
| West Indies | 50 | Kensington Oval, Sabina Park | 25 |
| South Africa | 49 | Newlands | 28 |
| Pakistan | 48 | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 23 |
| New Zealand | 40 | National Stadium, Karachi | 23 |
| Sri Lanka | 29 | Galle International Stadium | 27 |
