The history of Indian cricket will change as soon as playing the final of WTC, this will be the first time in 89 years

When India enters the Rose Bowl next month to play the final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand, it will be the first occasion in their nearly 89-year Test history when they play a Test match at a neutral venue.

Of the 12 countries that have received Test status from the International Cricket Council (ICC), only two have so far not played a Test match at a neutral venue. These include Bangladesh besides India.

India will be included in this list soon

Given the security threat in Pakistan, foreign teams did not visit there for more than a decade. Pakistan meanwhile held their home matches in the UAE and Sri Lanka. In the meantime, most of the countries got the chance to play Test matches at a neutral venue. These include New Zealand, which has played six matches at neutral venues from 2014 to 2018, of which it won three and lost two. No Test matches have been played between India and Pakistan since 2007.

India got a chance 22 years ago

India had earlier had a chance to play a Test match at the neutral venue in 1999, but the Indian team had then failed to make it to the final of the Asian Test Championship which was played in Dhaka. Pakistan and Sri Lanka reached the finals of that championship and for the first time, they played a Test match at the neutral venue.

When was the first match played at a neutral venue?

By the way, the first Test match at a neutral venue was played 109 years ago between Australia and South Africa in Manchester on 27-28 May 1912. The match was part of the tri-test series which was hosted by hosts England apart from these two teams. Australia won the match by an innings and 88 runs in two days. Only in 1999, a match was played at a neutral venue.

Most matches in the neutral venue are named by Pakistan

Pakistan has played most of its home matches in the last 20 years, mainly in the UAE. This is the reason that the record of playing the most matches at the neutral venue is recorded in his name. Pakistan has played 39 matches at the neutral venue so far. Of these, he has won 19 and lost 12. The remaining eight matches were draws.

Australia has also played 12 matches at neutral venues, followed by Sri Lanka (nine), South Africa (seven), and New Zealand, West Indies, and England (all six). Afghanistan has also played four of its matches in neutral venues (India and UAE). Zimbabwe played both their matches against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Ireland has played their one match against Afghanistan in Dehradun.