5 Best Test Captains Of India

At the start of the year, India was a strong side in the white-ball format. They were clinical in the longest format at home, but they faced many body blows away from home. Over the years, the national side has seen many fantastic leaders, but not many have done well in the ultimate format of the game.

India’s performance in Test matches has changed in the last decade or so. They were always a difficult side to beat at home, with the spinning tracks provided. However, for any successful red-ball captaincy, the mindset becomes an important factor. It defines the entire side’s attitude.

Here are the five best Test captains of India

5. Rohit Sharma (10 victories)

Rohit has always been a team man. It would have a difficult period for India to replace Virat Kohli after he stepped down from the Test captaincy after their series defeat in South Africa.

However, as he has always done in his career, Rohit stood for the side in crisis. In 24 red-ball encounters, they gained 12 victories and nine defeats at a win-loss ratio of 1.33. There are a few games that prove his legacy in such a short period.

The home side was behind in the 2021 series after the opening defeat in Chennai. But, on a slow and low surface of the venue during the following game, captain Rohit clubbed a fine century to lay down the winning platform.

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Even in the Bazball era of the 2024 home series against the Ben Stokes-led side, Rohit’s incredible tactics with the ball and field placement brought success for the team.

4. Mohammad Azharuddin (14 victories)

Mohammad Azharuddin was one of the best players that the country produced in this game. For his incredible approach, technique, and batting style, he became the Indian red-ball captain in 1990.

Under his leadership, they challenged the big sides but didn’t surrender even in tough conditions. In 47 five-day games he led, the national side earned 14 victories and lost as many clashes, with 19 drawn results.

One of the unique records was how they didn’t get bundled out under 100 on any occasion under Azharuddin.

3. Sourav Ganguly (21 victories)

Before Virat, Sourav Ganguly brought a feisty nature among the players for the longest format. Before him, it was a calm side with victories mostly coming at home. However, Sourav changed the way they were playing the form.

He was the first leader who instilled belief among the players of winning matches in SENA countries. During the 49 Tests between 2000 and 2005, Ganguly led India to 21 victories and 13 defeats, with 15 games ending in drawn results.

2. MS Dhoni (27 victories)

MS Dhoni was perhaps India’s most successful all-format captain in the game, with two World Cups and one Champions Trophy. Undoubtedly, he was a fantastic captain in the white-ball format, but he was equally decent in the red-ball clashes.

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Dhoni remains the country’s second-most successful leader. The wicket-keeper led them in 60 games, winning 27 clashes, while 18 fixtures ended in defeats.

1. Virat Kohli (40 victories)

Virat Kohli and Test matches remain one of the most romantic bonds in recent years. It was the turning point in Indian cricket, as they began to win red-ball games away from home. Under his leadership, they breached Australia for the first time during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19.

He remains the most successful Test captain India has had with 40 wins in 68 games at a win-lose ratio of 2.352, which is the second best after Ricky Ponting. The growth of the pacers under Kohli was the biggest bonus for the national side.