Top 11 most successful captains in test cricket

Only six captains have won more than 30 matches in test cricket history.

Strategy plays a big role in test cricket. Known for its grinding nature, the longest format of the game tests the patience and endurance levels of players to their maximum limits.

Test cricket often requires innovative thinking and out-of-the-box tactics to change the game. Over the years, the great game has witnessed captains who have displayed remarkable tactical brilliance.

A captain is responsible for enhancing the confidence level of the team by making correct decisions at crucial times. His responsibilities range from setting the field, ringing the accurate bowling changes and deciding the batting order as well. All of this is made with the best interests of the team in mind. A skipper has to be on his toes all the time in a test match, even in the dressing room.

in this article, we will take a look at the top 11 captains with the most wins under their belt in test cricket.

Top 11 most successful captains in test cricket:

11. Joe Root – 27 wins

England’s greatest test batsman Joe Root is also his country’s most successful captain in terms of test match wins. Under Root, England won 27 out of 64 tests.

Known for his brilliant batting performances, Root captained England from 2017 to 2022. Despite his brilliant captaincy record, he is often criticized for being too defensive at times, particularly during the Ashes series.

Under Root, in the Ashes England managed a 2-2 draw at home in 2019 but suffered heavy defeats on the 2017/18 and 2021/22 tours Down Under.

10. Sir Vivian Richards – 27 wins

Counted among the greatest batsmen to grace the game, Sir Viv Richards was also an astute tactical leader. Richards captained West Indies for 11 years between 1980 and 1991 and won 27 out of 50 tests during his tenure.

Richards retired from international cricket in 1993, boasting an average of 50.23 in test cricket.

9. MS Dhoni – 27 wins

India’s greatest white-ball captain, MS Dhoni also had an average record as test skipper with 27 wins in 60 matches. Having won three ICC trophies in limited-overs cricket, Dhoni made history by leading India to the number-one spot in the ICC test team rankings for the first time in 2010.

Dhoni won two ICC test maces during his career. His last game as India’s test captain came in 2014 at Melbourne.

8. Hansie Cronje – 27 wins

Late Hansie Cronje is counted as one of the sharpest captains in cricket history. Named the skipper during the 1994-95 test series against New Zealand, Hansie won 27 out of 53 games as the captain of South Africa.

His legacy, however, was tarnished by the match-fixing scandal in 2000, which led to a lifetime ban from cricket. He tragically passed away in a cargo plane crash in 2002.

7. Stephen Fleming – 28 wins

Stephen Fleming was New Zealand’s test captain for nine years between 1997 and 2006. Fleming is credited for shaping the Kiwis into a tough side, winning 28 out of 80 tests.

Fleming led the team from the front, opening the batting in the challenging conditions of New Zealand. He retired from test cricket in 2008.

6. Allan Border – 32 wins

Legendary Australian captain and batsman Allan Border is hailed for transforming the Australian team into a cricketing powerhouse. Border’s record as the captain of the Australian test team includes 32 wins in 93 games.

Border took over the captaincy during a challenging period for Australian cricket in 1984. By the time he retired in 1994, he had rebuilt the team into one of the strongest sides the game has witnessed.

5. Clive Lloyd – 36 wins

Clive Llyod’s West Indies team is regarded as the most fearsome team of all time. Lloyd captained West Indies for 11 years between 1974 and 1985 and won 36 out of 74 tests.

He also captained West Indies to two consecutive ODI World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979. Besides being an excellent captain he was an outstanding middle-order batsman, averaging 47 in test cricket.

4. Virat Kohli – 40 wins

Virat Kohli stands tall as India’s most successful test captain. Known for his proactive captaincy, Kohli won 40 out of 68 tests as the Indian test team captain.

India’s unprecedented success overseas in test cricket was the hallmark of Kohli’s rein as the Indian test skipper. Under Kohli, India won their first-ever test series in Australia in 2018/19.

He is hailed as a “Bowler’s Captain” for encouraging bowlers to operate fearlessly during his time.

3. Steve Waugh – 41 wins

Legendary Australia captain Steve Waugh ushered Australia into a heavily dominant period in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with 41 wins in 57 test matches.

Waugh’s Australian team of the early 2000s is considered among the greatest test teams of all time. He instilled mental toughness in the dressing room which paved the way for many remarkable victories for Australia in the next decade even after his retirement.

2. Ricky Ponting – 48 wins

Ricky Ponting succeeded Steve Waugh as Australia’s test captain in 2004 and carried on the legacy of dominating the world.

Having one of the strongest teams in the world at his disposal, Ponting used his resources to the full extent, winning 48 out of 77 tests during his tenure. What made Ricky special was his desire to lead from the front. A true fighter, Ponting was known to hold the bull by the horns.

1. Graeme Smith – 53 wins

South African legend Graeme Smith has the most wins in test cricket as a captain: 53 victories in 109 tests. At the tender age of 22, Smith became South Africa’s youngest-ever captain.

Under Graeme Smith, South Africa became a powerhouse in test cricket, defeating teams like Australia, England and New Zealand at their homes.

Besides being a brilliant leader, Smith was also one of the best test openers of his time.

(All stats are updated till 3rd December 2024)

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