August (15-18) 1936, The Oval
The very first occasion of India playing a game on the Independence day came in the year 1936, on India’s tour to England. It was a Test match at The Oval where the visitors lost the game by a margin of nine wickets.
The Test started on August 15 only and England posted a huge total of 471 on the board to put India right under pressure. The Maharaja of Vizianagaram led side was bundled out on 222, and England acclaimed a big lead right at the start. The England skipper enforced the follow-on and after the completion of three innings in the game, England needed a mere total of 64 to win the contest.
Without any difficulty, the Sir Gubby Allen led side chased down the target with the loss of just one wicket and defeated India on their first ever contest which started on August 15. Though India was not an independent country at that time.