Even before the first ball will be bowled during India’s first Test against New Zealand, the hosts will achieve a big milestone. The Indian team will become only the fourth team in the world to play 500 or more Test matches. The three-match Test series will start on September 22 at Kanpur.

With 976 Test matches England is leading the list followed by Australia (791) and West Indies (517).

India’s journey in Test cricket is an inspiring one. After playing their first Test match in 1932, they had to wait for 20 long years to register their first victory when Vijay Hazare’s side made history by beating England by an innings and 8 runs at Chepauk in 1952. The Indian team grew from strength to strength thereafter but lacked the consistency and the confidence to win in all conditions. But the new millennium saw a new Indian team which was fearless and was ready to challenge every team.

The arrival of the the Big Five – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Anil Kumble completely changed the face of Indian cricket. With a solid platform built, MS Dhoni took the legacy forward and achieved unprecedented heights with the Indian team. Under his captaincy, India achieved the number one rank in Test cricket for the first time in their history in 2009.

India’s current Test skipper Virat Kohli has done a commendable job so far. Still young to be judged, he has already led India to some memorable wins and so one can say that the team is in safe hands for the time being.

With India set to play their 500th Test, we are having a look at some milestone matches:

1st Test match:
England v India at Lord’s, June 25-28, 1932

Result: England won by 158 runs
Captain:

100th Test match:
England v India at Edgbaston, July 13-15, 1967

Result: England won by 132 runs

Captain: CK Nayudu

200th Test match:
Pakistan v India at Lahore, December 10-15, 1982

Result: Drawn

Captain: Tiger Pataudi

300th Test match:
India v South Africa at Ahmedabad, November 20-23, 1996

Result: India won by 64 runs

Captain: Sachin Tendulkar
400th Test match:
West Indies v India at Kingston, June 30-July 2, 2006