Top 5 Indian captains with most runs in a test series

Only two Indian captains have scored more than 700 runs in a single test series.

Leading a test team is a huge responsibility for any player. Over the years, Indian Cricket Team have been captained by many brilliant players, who achieved a lot of success as a leader in the longest format of the game.

If we look at stats, Virat Kohli (68) has led India in the most number of tests. The next captain on this list is MS Dhoni, who led India in 60 games. Sourav Ganguly (49), Mohammad Azharuddin (47), and Sunil Gavaskar (47) also led India in a significant number of games in the longest format of the game.

The responsibility of a captain is not only limited to the on-field decisions, but also to score runs with the bat and take wickets with the ball. In India’s cricketing history, most of the captains have been batters and some of them led the side from the front.

Many Indian captains also had brilliant outings in some series, where they scored loads of runs. On that note, let’s take a look at Indian captains who have scored most runs in a test series.

Top 5 Indian captains with most runs in a test series

5. Virat Kohli – 593 (vs England, 2018)

Virat Kohli grabs the fifth spot on this list. During India’s tour of England 2018, skipper Kohli mustered 593 runs across five tests at an average of 59.30. The right-handed batsman hammered two centuries and three half-centuries across 10 innings. However, despite his marvellous batting show in the campaign, India lost the series 4-1.

4. Virat Kohli – 610 (vs Sri Lanka, 2017)

Kohli also captures the fourth spot on this list. During a test series against Sri Lanka in 2017, the former Indian skipper mustered 610 runs across five innings in three tests. At a spectacular batting average of 152.50, Kohli hammered three centuries and one half-century in the series. India won the three-match series 1-0, and Kohli was adjudged Player of the Series.

3. Virat Kohli – 655 (vs England, 2016)

During a home test series against England in 2016, Kohli scored 655 runs across five matches. At a stunning average of 109.16, the right-handed batsman slammed two centuries and two half-centuries across eight innings, including a top knock of 235 runs. India claimed a 4-0 win in the five-match series.

2. Sunil Gavaskar – 732 (vs West Indies, 1978-79)

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar held the record for most runs by an Indian captain in a test series for 46 years from 1979 to 2025 until Shubman Gill broke it. The former Indian captain hammered 732 runs in a test series against the West Indies in 1978-79. India clashed with West Indies in a six-match test series at home.

With four centuries and one fifty, Gavaskar mustered 732 runs in nine innings at a batting average of 91.50, with a top knock of 205 runs. India won the series 1-0 as five out of six matches ended in a draw.

1. Shubman Gill – 754 (vs England, 2025)

Shubman Gill broke Sunil Gavaskar’s 46-year-old record for most runs by an Indian captain in a test series in 2025. Gill, who was appointed as India’s test skipper ahead of India’s tour of England in 2025, mustered 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of over 75.40 in the test series against England. The right-handed batsman hammered four centuries, including a double ton.

(All stats updated till 2nd August, 2025)

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