India did most things right in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but still find themselves 1-0 down. As India travel to Edgbaston in a bid to level the series, they don't just have to battle a confident England, but also history. Of the eight Tests India have played at Edgbaston, they have lost seven and drawn one. Here are five venues where India haven't been able to break the duck in Test cricket (minimum five Tests).
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Played 8, Won 0, Lost 7, Drawn 1
The last time they played a Test at Edgbaston, in 2022, England chased down 378, their highest successful chase in Test cricket, with Jonny Bairstow getting a century in each innings.
India's heaviest defeat in Edgbaston came in 2011 when they lost to England by an innings and 242 runs. Sent into bat, India were bowled out for 224. In reply, Alastair Cook's career-best 294 and Eoin Morgan's 104 helped the hosts declare on 710 for 7, with a lead of 486. India were cleaned up for 244 in the second stint.
The closest they came to winning in Edgbaston was in 2018. Chasing 194 in the fourth innings, they started day four on 110 for 5. Virat Kohli, fresh from a majestic 149 in the first innings, was unbeaten on 43 and had Dinesh Karthik with him. But England kept at it and despite Kohli's brilliance, India fell short by 31.
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Played 9, Won 0, Lost 7, Drawn 2
Of their nine Tests at the Kensington Oval, India drew only two - in 1971 and 2011. Two of India's seven losses were innings defeats, the heaviest being by an innings and 97 runs in 1976. This was the first game of the four-Test series and batting first, India were bowled out for a mere 177, with legspinner David Holford grabbing a five-for. West Indies declared on 488 for 9 and cleaned up India for 214 in their second innings.
The 1997 Test here is among India's most heartbreaking losses. They took a first-innings lead of 21, with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid scoring fifties. West Indies were then bowled out for 140 in the second innings, leaving India 120 to chase in the fourth innings. But a spectacular collapse ensued. Only VVS Laxman managed a double-digit score as India were skittled for just 81.
Old Trafford, Manchester
Played 9, Won 0, Lost 4, Drawn 5
The venue for the fourth Test in the ongoing series, Old Trafford is another ground where India have not had much success. India's heaviest defeat came in the 1952 Test, when they lost by an innings and 207 runs. England batted first and, led by Len Hutton's 104, declared on 347 for 9. In reply, India were blown away for 58 in the first innings and 82 in the second, going down well inside three days.
In the 1990 Test, a 17-year-old Tendulkar helped India salvage a draw with a fourth-innings hundred, his first in Test cricket. His 119 not out took India to 343 for 6 in their chase of 408.
National Stadium, Karachi
Played 6, Won 0, Lost 3, Drawn 3
India's heaviest defeat in Karachi came in 1982, with Imran Khan putting up a bowling masterclass. Sent in, India were bowled out for 169 with Imran picking up 3 for 19 and Abdul Qadir 4 for 67. Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar then scored centuries as Pakistan took a lead of 292. In the second innings, India were bowled out for 197, losing by an innings and 86 runs, with Imran picking up 8 for 60.
In 2006, India let the game slip away. Irfan Pathan wreaked havoc with a first-over hat-trick as the hosts were reduced to 0 for 3 and then 39 for 6. But Pakistan staged a comeback thanks to Kamran Akmal's 113 and posted 245. India were bowled out for 238 in their first innings with Pakistan responding by scoring 599 for 7 declared. India, chasing 607, were bowled out for 265.
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Played 7, Won 0, Lost 2, Drawn 5
India and Pakistan have played plenty of high-scoring encounters in Lahore. India's heaviest defeat at this venue came in 2004. India batted first and while Yuvraj Singh scored his maiden Test century, he didn't get much support as the visitors folded for 287. Pakistan, led by centuries from Imran Farhat and Inzamam-ul-Haq, racked up 489, ensuring a 202-run lead. India were then bowled out for 241 as Pakistan chased down the 41-run target with little fuss. The last time these two teams played in Lahore, in 2006, only two innings were possible and there were six centurions across the two teams. Virender Sehwag top-scored with 254.