Top 5 youngest Indian captains in test cricket

Three Indian cricketers became test cricket captain before turning 25.

Leading the test team is a huge responsibility for any cricketer. Over the years, the Indian Cricket Team have been led by 37 players in the longest format of the game. Virat Kohli (68) holds the record for leading India in the most number of test matches from 2014 to 2022.

The next on the list is MS Dhoni with 60 test matches under his belt. Former captains like Sourav Ganguly (49), Mohammad Azharuddin (47), and Sunil Gavaskar (47) also led India in a significant number of tests during their careers.

Kohli, who led the team in 40 victories, is the most successful test captain so far with a winning percentage of 58.82. In May 2025, Shubman Gill was appointed as the 37th test captain for India, becoming one of the youngest Indian captains at just 25 years old. However, a few other players were given the responsibility of the test side at an even a younger age.

On that note, let’s glance at the top five youngest Indian captains in test cricket

Top 5 youngest Indian captains in test cricket

5. Shubman Gill – 25 years, 285 days

Shubman Gill grabs the fifth spot on this list as he took reins as India’s test captain at the age of 25 years and 285 days. The right-handed batsman succeeded Rohit Sharma as India’s captain in the longest format of the game.

Gill made his test captaincy debut against England on June 20, 2025, in the first test of India’s tour of England.

4. Ravi Shastri – 25 years, 229 days

Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri became India’s test captain at the age of 25 years and 229 days. During the West Indies’ tour of India 1987-88, skipper Dilip Vengsarkar was ruled out of the fourth test due to an injury.

As a result, Shastri was appointed as the stand-in captain for the fourth test in Chennai and also led the team to a win by 255 runs. It was Shastri’s only game as test captain during his entire career.

3. Kapil Dev – 24 years, 48 days

Former India all-rounder Kapil Dev was given the reins of the test team at a young age of 24 years and 48 days. He took the leadership of the test side in February 1983 during an away test series against the West Indies. He continued with his role as test captain till March 1987, leading the team in 34 matches during his tenure.

2. Sachin Tendulkar – 23 years, 169 days

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar occupies the second spot on this list. Sachin captained India for the first time in October 1996, at the age of just 23 years and 169 days. He made his test captaincy debut against Australia in Delhi.

He had two stints as India’s test captain – from October 1996 to December 1997 and October 1999 to March 2000. Tendulkar led the team in 25 tests during his career, winning four games and losing nine matches. 12 matches ended in a draw.

1. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi – 21 years, 77 days

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi grabs the top spot on this list as he is the youngest test captain of India till date. The former India batsman captained India for the first time in test cricket in March 1962 at the age of 21 years and 77 days. He continued to lead the side for 13 years till 1975, captaining in 40 matches. Under his captaincy, India won nine tests and lost 19 matches, while 12 ended in a draw.

(All stats updated till 20th June, 2025)

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