Top 5 most successful Indian captains in test cricket

So far, 36 players have captained India in test cricket.

Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game, which is why it is regarded as the toughest form of this sport. Over the years, teams have done well in white-ball cricket, but when it comes to red-ball cricket, they have found it hard to do well. Indian cricket has seen many brilliant captains over the years, but not many have done well in test cricket.

However, things changed in the last decade or so. Team India have always been difficult to beat in their own conditions, but now they are winning in every condition. That change came after the change in mindset for different captains. A captain’s mindset defines the team’s attitude. And here we will talk about the top five successful captains for India in test cricket. So let’s check out this elite list of Indian captains of all time.

Here are the Top 5 most successful Indian captains in test cricket

5. Rohit Sharma – 10 wins:

Rohit Sharma has been a team man, and it has been quite visible since he took over the captaincy of Indian cricket in 2022. Though he has missed a number of matches, whenever he has captained India, they have done well most of the time. So far, Rohit has led India in 16 tests and ended up winning 10, losing four, and drew only twice.

4. Mohammad Azharuddin – 14 wins:

Mohammad Azharuddin was one of the best cricketers that India produced in this game. His batting style, technique, and approach were brilliant, which is why he became India’s captain in 1990. Under him, India challenged big teams and didn’t surrender, even in tough conditions. India played 47 tests under him and won 14 and lost the same number of matches, while 19 were drawn. Under his captaincy, India never got dismissed below 100.

3. Sourav Ganguly – 21 wins:

Sourav Ganguly was the one captain who made India believe that they could win matches even in SENA countries. His aggressive captaincy was one reason that India had success against different oppositions. He captained India between 2000 and 2005 in 49 tests, leading to 21 wins. 13 games were lost, and 15 were drawn as well.

2. MS Dhoni – 27 wins:

MS Dhoni is probably the best captain that India produced in this game. When it comes to the ICC trophies, he is the only captain to lead a country to three different ICC titles. Hence, he was one of a kind. In tests, he is India’s second-most successful captain. Dhoni led India to 60 test matches and won 27 of them, while losing 18 and drawing 15.

1. Virat Kohli – 40 wins:

The Indian cricket team might not get a captain like Virat Kohli ever again in test cricket. Not just because of the wins, but because of the way he led the team, which was never seen before. Under him, India remained at the top of the test rankings for six consecutive years, which is a record.

Virat is the most successful captain for India in test cricket and one of the best overall. He led India to 68 games and won 40 of those with a W/L ratio of 2.352, which is the second best only after Ricky Ponting. India lost only 17 games and drawn 11 under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in test cricket.

(All stats and numbers updated till 9th March, 2024)

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