India in Boxing Day Tests against Australia: History doesn't favour

 India have played seven Boxing Day Test in Australia, losing five of them by big margins

1985: Kapil Dev's team gives the hosts a massive scare

Kapil Dev MCG debut was a memorable one as he had led India to a memorable win against Australia. He visited the iconic venue four years later and led the Asian giants to an impressive draw.

India's current head coach Ravi Shastri picked up a four-for and helped India bowl Australia out for 262 in the first innings. Half-centuries from Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Dilip Vengsarkar, and captain Kapil made sure India posted 445 and took a huge lead. Shastri shone with the ball with another four-for in the second innings but a valiant 163 from Australia captain Allan Border saved the day for the hosts.

1991: Mohammad Azharuddin's side thrashed by 8 wickets

Mohammad Azharuddin's debut at MCG as captain was as fruitful as his predecessor, Kapil as India were routed by 8 wickets in the Boxing Day Test of 1991.

After opting to bat first, India were reeling at 151 for 8 before a 77-run stand between Kiran More and Venkatapathy Raj helped the team to a decent total of 263. However, an all-round batting performance from Australia helped them take a handy lead.

In the second innings, only Dilip Vengsarkar and Sachin Tendulkar made considerable contributions as India were bowled out for 213. Australia eventually chased down a 128-run target, losing only two wickets en route.

1999: Sachin Tendulkar's side outclassed in Boxing Day Test

Eight years later, an Indian visiting side, led by Sachin Tendulkar, was thrashed by 180 runs.

Australia posted a mammoth total of 405 in the first innings. Captain Tendulkar led India's reply with a century but it wasn't enough as India were bowled out for 238. Batting third, the hosts added 208 runs to their lead before declaring their innings.

Another ordinary batting performance saw India getting bowled out for less than 200 (195) in the final innings of the match.

2003: Ricky Ponting's double tops Virender Sehwag's Boxing Day classic

Ganguly, looked like they would pick up their first Boxing Day Test win in Australia when Virender Sehwag smashed a brilliant 195 in the first innings after the visitors opted to bat first.

However, a lower-order collapse saw India end up with only 366 on the board. Ricky Ponting added to India's woes in a must-win match for the hosts by smashing 257. Opener Matthew Hayden chipped with 136 as Australia outbatted the visitors, posting 558 on the board.

Rahul Dravid, captain Ganguly and Tendulkar scored half-centuries but India managed only 286, leaving Australia to chase only 95 runs. Hayden and Ponting combined once again to get to the total with nine wickets in hand.

2007: Anil Kumble's men handed a thrashing at the MCG

Zaheer Khan's four-for helped India bowl Australia out for 343 despite Matthew Hayden making hay in yet another Boxing Day Test against the Asian side.

However, two poor batting shows from the Anil Kumble-led visiting side saw them lose the Test by 337 runs. Sachin Tendulkar's first innings 62 was the only occasion an Indian batsman got past the 50-run mark in both the innings put together.

2011: MS Dhoni's men let go off golden opportunity to win Boxing Day battle

MS Dhoni's first Test in Australia as captain was the Boxing Day Test of 2011. He lost the toss but India managed to keep Australia to 333. The response from the Indians wasn't as bad as half-centuries from Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar propelled India to 282.

Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma combined to pick up nine wickets and restrict Australia to just 240 in the second innings and give India hopes of a historic win.

However, a second innings batting failure saw India lose the Test by 122 runs.

2014: MS Dhoni retires from Tests after thrilling draw

This Boxing Day Test is more remembered for MS Dhoni's unforeseen retirement from Test cricket than the brilliant knocks from Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane on a boring MCG wicket.

Australia scored 530 in the first innings after Smith's 192. India responded brilliantly as Kohli hit 169 and Rahane 147. Shaun Marsh missed a ton by a run in the second innings but Australia posted 318/9 dec.

India were in trouble as they were reeling at 142 for 6, chasing 384 on the final day. However, Dhoni with a 39-ball 24 stitched a crucial stand with R Ashwin to bail India out and secure a draw in his Test swansong.