The Freedom Trophy between India and South Africa is set to commence with the first Test at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 14-18, 2025.
This venue holds a special place in cricket history, being the site of South Africa’s re-entry into international cricket in 1991. The two-match Test series is highly anticipated, featuring a clash between India, strong in home conditions, and the current World Test Champions, South Africa. As India returns to Eden Gardens for Test cricket after a six-year hiatus, the match promises an exciting start to the rivalry. Shubman Gill will lead a determined Indian side against Temba Bavuma‘s formidable South African unit.
IND vs SA: India’s test record at Eden Gardens (1934-2025)
The Eden Gardens has hosted 42 Test matches involving India from January 1934 to November 2019. Team India’s overall record at this venue is mixed, with a notable number of drawn matches.
- Matches Played: 42
- India Won: 13
- India Lost: 9
- Drawn: 20
India’s first Test victory at the venue came relatively late, in 1961-62 against England. The ground has witnessed some of India’s most iconic Test moments, including the famous follow-on victory against Australia in 2001, featuring V.V.S. Laxman‘s 281.
Detailed test match results for India at Eden Gardens
India’s Test journey at the Eden Gardens began in 1934. Here is a summary of all 42 matches with a four-line explanation of each result:
1934 – 1940s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Jan 5–8, 1934 | England | Draw | This was the inaugural Test at Eden Gardens. India’s batting was strong in the first innings, led by a century from the Maharajah of Patiala, but England responded well. The match, part of the MCC tour, ended in a draw, a common outcome in those days. |
| Dec 31, 1948 – Jan 4, 1949 | West Indies | Draw | The visiting West Indies side, featuring players like Clyde Walcott, posted a strong first innings total. India fought hard with the bat, but limited overs and slow scoring resulted in a stalemate. The match was characterized by prolonged batting performances from both teams. |
1950s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Dec 30, 1951 – Jan 2, 1952 | England | Draw | A low-scoring affair saw both teams struggle to establish dominance. Excellent bowling from both sides kept the match evenly poised. Ultimately, the lack of time to force a result ensured another draw in Kolkata. |
| Dec 12–15, 1952 | Pakistan | Draw | The first-ever Test between India and Pakistan at this venue ended without a decisive result. High-quality spin bowling was on display from both sides. Defensive batting took hold as the match progressed, culminating in a draw. |
| Dec 28, 1955 – Jan 1, 1956 | New Zealand | Draw | India’s powerful first-innings score set a solid foundation. New Zealand showed resilience, batting for a significant period in their first innings. The draw was a reflection of the flat pitch and the visitors’ stubborn defense. |
| Nov 2–6, 1956 | Australia | Lost by an Innings and 5 runs | India suffered their first defeat at Eden Gardens against a dominant Australian side. The visitors, led by Ian Johnson, showcased superior batting and bowling. India’s batters failed to cope with the Australian attack in both innings. |
| Dec 31, 1958 – Jan 4, 1959 | West Indies | Lost by an Innings and 336 runs | This was a crushing defeat for India against a strong West Indies team. Frank Worrell‘s side amassed a massive total, which India could not match. The match was a display of the West Indies’ batting and bowling power. |
1960s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Jan 23–27, 1960 | Australia | Draw | After a tight first innings, the match opened up slightly on the final day. India had a chance to press for a win but were stymied by a resolute Australian defense. The game ultimately petered out into a draw. |
| Dec 30, 1960 – Jan 4, 1961 | Pakistan | Draw | A high-scoring affair that saw both teams post big first-innings totals. Batters dominated the pitch, making a result difficult to achieve. The match concluded with both sides relatively safe, resulting in a draw. |
| Dec 30, 1961 – Jan 4, 1962 | England | Won by 187 runs | India secured its first-ever Test victory at Eden Gardens. A fine all-round performance, including a strong bowling effort in the final innings, sealed the win. This result broke a long winless streak at the venue. |
| Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1964 | England | Draw | The match was evenly contested, with both teams trading blows. Despite some promising passages of play, neither side could achieve a decisive advantage. The fixture concluded in a tame draw. |
| Oct 17–22, 1964 | Australia | Draw | The tourists managed a narrow first-innings lead in a competitive contest. India’s batting in the second innings was strong enough to ensure safety. The five-day contest concluded without either side forcing a result. |
| Mar 5–10, 1965 | New Zealand | Draw | New Zealand’s high first-innings score dominated the early proceedings. India played catch-up, managing to save the match with solid batting. The game ended in a draw due to a lack of time. |
| Dec 31, 1966 – Jan 5, 1967 | West Indies | Lost by 6 wickets | A thrilling Test match saw India compete well against a world-class West Indies team. India set a competitive target, but the visitors chased it down with a strong batting display. The loss was a hard-fought one for the home side. |
| Dec 12–16, 1969 | Australia | Lost by 10 wickets | Australia put on a display of dominance, winning comfortably. India’s batting failed to deliver in both innings against a disciplined Australian attack. The result was a comprehensive loss for the home team. |
1970s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Dec 30, 1972 – Jan 4, 1973 | England | Won by 28 runs | A classic low-scoring thriller saw India narrowly defeat England. The pitch offered assistance to the spinners, and India’s bowling proved superior. This was a morale-boosting, close victory for the home side. |
| Dec 27, 1974 – Jan 1, 1975 | West Indies | Lost by 201 runs | Clive Lloyd‘s powerful West Indies team secured a commanding victory. India was outclassed in batting and bowling by the strong visiting side. The result was a decisive loss for the home team. |
| Jan 1–6, 1977 | England | Lost by 10 wickets | India’s batting collapsed in the first innings, setting a difficult tone for the match. England capitalized on the advantage and secured a comprehensive win. This was another home defeat in a challenging period. |
| Dec 29, 1978 – Jan 3, 1979 | West Indies | Draw | Sunil Gavaskar‘s twin centuries were the highlight of this high-scoring contest. Both teams batted well on a good pitch, making it hard to force a result. The match was notable for Gavaskar’s brilliant individual performance. |
1980s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Oct 26–31, 1979 | Australia | Draw | India put up a substantial first-innings total in a hard-fought battle. Australia showed great resilience to survive the final days. The match ended in a draw after a tightly contested five days. |
| Jan 29 – Feb 3, 1980 | Pakistan | Won by 10 wickets | A superb all-round performance saw India defeat their rivals convincingly. India’s bowlers, particularly Kapil Dev, were excellent, and the batsmen delivered a strong performance. The victory was a comprehensive one for the home team. |
| Jan 1–5, 1982 | England | Draw | A rain-affected match saw significant time lost on the early days. The shortened duration made a result impossible. The match ended in a predictable draw. |
| Dec 10–14, 1983 | West Indies | Lost by an Innings and 46 runs | India was decimated by the fearsome West Indies pace attack. The visitors displayed overwhelming dominance with both bat and ball. This was a crushing defeat for the home side. |
| Dec 31, 1984 – Jan 5, 1985 | England | Lost by 8 wickets | England delivered a strong performance, leading to an Indian defeat. The visitors outplayed India in crucial periods of the game. The loss gave England a crucial advantage in the series. |
| Feb 11–16, 1987 | Pakistan | Draw | Another high-scoring match against Pakistan. Both teams’ batsmen excelled, leading to an accumulation of runs. The result was a draw, as the bowlers struggled to break through. |
| Dec 26–31, 1987 | West Indies | Draw | The match featured high scores from both sides on a batter-friendly surface. Despite the high run rate, a result could not be forced. The match ended in a draw. |
1990s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1993 | England | Won by 8 wickets | India secured a comfortable victory, dominating England with a strong bowling display. Mohammad Azharuddin’s century was a highlight of the Indian batting. The win set the tone for a successful series for India. |
| Nov 27 – Dec 1, 1996 | South Africa | Lost by 329 runs | This was South Africa’s first Test win in India and only the first between the two teams at this venue. India was comprehensively defeated by a dominant South African side. Lance Klusener’s incredible bowling spell was a key factor in the victory. |
| Mar 18–21, 1998 | Australia | Won by an Innings and 219 runs | India avenged their previous loss with a huge victory over Australia. The win was secured by a brilliant all-round performance, including a big first-innings total. Sachin Tendulkar’s century stood out as a highlight. |
| Feb 16–20, 1999 | Pakistan | Won by an Innings and 13 runs | A famous match where India defeated their arch-rivals. The victory was set up by a strong bowling display that dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup. Javagal Srinath’s brilliant bowling performance sealed the win. |
2000s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Mar 11–15, 2001 | Australia | Won by 171 runs | One of India’s greatest Test wins, where they won after being forced to follow on. V.V.S. Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180)‘s partnership was legendary, backed by a great spell from Harbhajan Singh. The victory ended Australia’s winning streak and is forever etched in cricket lore. |
| Oct 30 – Nov 3, 2002 | West Indies | Draw | A high-scoring match where the pitch favored the batsmen. Despite an engaging final day, neither team could force a result. The match ended in a stalemate. |
| Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2004 | South Africa | Won by 8 wickets | India secured a comfortable win to level the series. A solid performance in all departments ensured a decisive victory. This was India’s first Test win against South Africa at Eden Gardens. |
| Mar 16–20, 2005 | Pakistan | Won by 195 runs | India defeated Pakistan in a match dominated by the home side. The Indian batsmen and bowlers both performed strongly. The victory was a comprehensive one. |
| Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2007 | Pakistan | Draw | The match saw high scores from both teams, making a result difficult. Indian batsmen piled on the runs, but Pakistan held on for a draw. The match was another batting feast. |
2010s
| Date | Opponent | Result | Details |
| Feb 14–18, 2010 | South Africa | Won by an Innings and 57 runs | India bounced back to level the series with a dominant innings victory. The match was highlighted by Indian batsmen’s big scores, notably Virender Sehwag’s century. The comprehensive win underscored India’s home dominance. |
| Nov 14–17, 2011 | West Indies | Won by an Innings and 15 runs | India defeated West Indies convincingly within four days. A dominant batting display by India, including a double-century by V.V.S. Laxman, sealed the victory. The Indian bowlers completed the job efficiently. |
| Dec 5–9, 2012 | England | Lost by 7 wickets | England delivered a clinical performance to defeat India. Their spinners out-bowled the Indian attack on a turning pitch. This remains India’s last Test loss at Eden Gardens to date. |
| Nov 6–8, 2013 | West Indies | Won by an Innings and 51 runs | The match was famous for Sachin Tendulkar’s 199th Test and Rohit Sharma’s debut century. India secured an easy innings victory in three days. The match was a dominating performance by the home team. |
| Sep 30 – Oct 3, 2016 | New Zealand | Won by 178 runs | India continued their winning form with a comfortable victory. The match was an all-round effort, with key performances from batsmen and bowlers. The win secured a series victory for India. |
| Nov 16–20, 2017 | Sri Lanka | Draw | A compelling match that looked like an Indian win until the end. Sri Lanka’s late resistance on the final day ensured a draw. The match was shortened due to weather interruptions. |
| Nov 22–24, 2019 | Bangladesh | Won by an Innings and 46 runs | India’s first Day-Night Test victory at home. The pink ball Test was dominated by the Indian pace attack, led by Ishant Sharma. The match finished well within three days, a historic win for India. |
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India’s Eden Gardens test record (1934-2025)
Here is a summary of all 42 Test matches played by India at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 5-8, 1934 | England | Draw |
| Dec 31, 1948 – Jan 4, 1949 | West Indies | Draw |
| Dec 30, 1951 – Jan 2, 1952 | England | Draw |
| Dec 12-15, 1952 | Pakistan | Draw |
| Dec 28, 1955 – Jan 1, 1956 | New Zealand | Draw |
| Nov 2-6, 1956 | Australia | Lost |
| Dec 31, 1958 – Jan 4, 1959 | West Indies | Lost |
| Jan 23-27, 1960 | Australia | Draw |
| Dec 30, 1960 – Jan 4, 1961 | Pakistan | Draw |
| Dec 30, 1961 – Jan 4, 1962 | England | Won |
| Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1964 | England | Draw |
| Oct 17–22, 1964 | Australia | Draw |
| Mar 5-10, 1965 | New Zealand | Draw |
| Dec 31, 1966 – Jan 5, 1967 | West Indies | Lost |
| Dec 12-16, 1969 | Australia | Lost |
| Dec 30, 1972 – Jan 4, 1973 | England | Won |
| Dec 27, 1974 – Jan 1, 1975 | West Indies | Lost |
| Jan 1-6, 1977 | England | Lost |
| Dec 29, 1978 – Jan 3, 1979 | West Indies | Draw |
| Oct 26-31, 1979 | Australia | Draw |
| Jan 29 – Feb 3, 1980 | Pakistan | Won |
| Jan 1- 5, 1982 | England | Draw |
| Dec 10-14, 1983 | West Indies | Lost |
| Dec 31, 1984 – Jan 5, 1985 | England | Lost |
| Feb 11-16, 1987 | Pakistan | Draw |
| Dec 26-31, 1987 | West Indies | Draw |
| Jan 29 – Feb 2, 1993 | England | Won |
| Nov 27 – Dec 1, 1996 | South Africa | Lost |
| Mar 18–21, 1998 | Australia | Won |
| Feb 16-20, 1999 | Pakistan | Won |
| Mar 11-15, 2001 | Australia | Won |
| Oct 30 – Nov 3, 2002 | West Indies | Draw |
| Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2004 | South Africa | Won |
| Mar 16–20, 2005 | Pakistan | Won |
| Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2007 | Pakistan | Draw |
| Feb 14–18, 2010 | South Africa | Won |
| Nov 14–17, 2011 | West Indies | Won |
| Dec 5–9, 2012 | England | Lost |
| Nov 6–8, 2013 | West Indies | Won |
| Sep 30 – Oct 3, 2016 | New Zealand | Won |
| Nov 16–20, 2017 | Sri Lanka | Draw |
| Nov 22–24, 2019 | Bangladesh | Won |
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