India will finally play a Test match at a neutral venue for the first time in their cricketing history as they take on New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
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In cricket, there are a total of 11 Test playing nations. In the last couple of years, the ICC World Test Championship has given Test matches a novelty with every series assuming great importance. India and New Zealand are the top two teams after the end of the first cycle of the ICC World Test Championship which began from 2019 to 2021. Both India and New Zealand will take on each other in the final at Southampton on June 18. However, for India, this match will be a rare first.
Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team will play a Test match at a neutral venue for the first time in their cricketing history. A neutral venue is a place that has no support for either side. Southampton is in England and the home side are not part of the ICC World Test Championship final. Ever since India started playing Tests in 1932, they have never played at a neutral venue. They have played ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals in neutral venues but never a Test match. India will finally become the 11th nation to play Test matches at neutral venues.
It is no surprise that Pakistan lead the list for playing the most number of Tests in neutral venues. From 1999 to 2018, Pakistan have played 39 Tests in neutral venues, with 19 wins and 12 losses. Most of the matches took place in the UAE. The country became Pakistan’s adopted ‘home ground’ from 2010 to 2018 due to the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009.
Apart from the UAE, Pakistan has also played in neutral venues in England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The 2009 Pakistan vs New Zealand series was played in New Zealand but Pakistan were the hosts. Pakistan hosted Australia in Sri Lanka in 2002. They also hosted them in the UAE in 2002, 2014 and 2018. Pakistan also played two Tests against Australia in England in 2010.
New Zealand have played two series in the UAE against Pakistan. South Africa played neutral Tests against Australia in 1912 in England as well as against Pakistan in the UAE. England have also played neutral Tests in the UAE. Ireland played neural Tests against Afghanistan in India while Zimbabwe also played Afghanistan in the UAE. West Indies also played Pakistan in the UAE.
Sri Lanka have also played neutral Tests against Pakistan in Dhaka and the UAE. The 1999 Asian Test Championship final was played in Dhaka with Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualifying.
When India steps out on the field against New Zealand, every side in world cricket would have played a Test at a neutral venue.
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