List Of All Test Captains Of India

In the long history of Indian cricket, many have led the national side in Test cricket. The longest format comes with a lot of challenges and ups and downs in various situations of the game.

Rohit Sharma was the last red-ball leader for the blue brigade, who replaced Virat Kohli.

The Delhi-born stepped down from the position after their 2-1 series defeat against South Africa in the 2022 tour. Rohit also declared his retirement from the five-day format before the away England series.

History of India’s Test Leaders

Since the country’s maiden red-ball fixture in 1932, India has witnessed 36 leaders across 589 games. CK Nayudu led the side to their first Test match in 1932 against England.

However, it was only 20 years later that the national side tasted their first red-ball victory under Vijay Hazare’s captaincy against England on February 10, 1952, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Their first overseas Test series victory.

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The Blue Brigade’s first away Test series victory came in the 1967-1968 season under the leadership of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He led them in 40 games for nine wins.

Only five Indian Test leaders, including Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, have notched up 10 Test victories.

Virat Kohli brings a change to India’s Test mindset

In 2014, during the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2014-15, Kohli’s beginning as a red-ball leader brought change to Indian cricket. He brought energy, a feisty character, and a never-die attitude among the players.

Kohli remains their most successful Test captain, with 40 wins in 68 clashes at a success rate of 58.82. Under his captaincy, the national side beat Australia for the first time in a Test series down under.

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Leading in 60 games between 2008 and 2014, Dhoni remains the second-most successful red-ball captain for the country. Sachin Tendulkar is also the youngest man to lead India in a Test match, aged 23 when he faced Australia in Delhi 29 years ago.

List of all Test captains of India