List of captains to lead India in the most Tests: CK Nayudu was India’s first-ever Test captain in 1932. It marked a new chapter in India’s history. India had to wait for 20 years to register their first-ever Test win in 1952. There have been many Indian captains who have led the country.
We look at the Top-10 List of captains to lead India in the most Tests:
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#10 Bishen Singh Bedi – 22 Tests
He is regarded as one of India’s finest Test spinners. Bishen Singh Bedi’s Test captaincy though isn’t very flattering. He captained India in 22 Tests in the period between 1976-78. India won 6 and lost 11 Tests under him. He had a poor win record of 27.27%.
#9 Sachin Tendulkar – 25 Tests
His reign as Test captain was the most tumultuous phase of his playing career. Sachin Tendulkar led India in 25 Tests during 1996-2000. He led the side in 25 Tests wherein India won just 4 Tests. His win percentage of 16 is abysmal.
#8 Rahul Dravid – 25 Tests
He remains the last Indian skipper to have won a Test series in England. Rahul Dravid also won a series as captain in West Indies in 2006. He led India in a total of 25 Tests where the side won 8 matches. His win percentage of 32 is exactly double of Tendulkar’s.
#7 Kapil Dev – 34 Tests
He was the first Indian captain to win the ODI World Cup in 1983. Kapil Dev’s greatest moment as Test captain came in 1986-87 when he led India to a 2-0 series win in England. He captained India in a total of 34 Tests but India won just 4 of them. His success rate of just 11.76% as captain in Tests is easily the lowest on this list.
#6 Nawab of Pataudi – 40 Tests
He was popularly called ‘Tiger Pataudi’. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is regarded as one of the best Indian captains. It was under Pataudi that India won their first overseas series win in 1967 against New Zealand. Pataudi led the side in 40 Tests winning 9 of them with a win percentage of 22.5.
#5 Sunil Gavaskar – 47 Tests
The original little master was the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Tests. Sunil Gavaskar led the side in 47 Tests winning 9 of them with a success rate of 19.14%.
#4 Mohammad Azharuddin – 47 Tests
He led the side in 47 Tests. India under Mohammad Azharuddin was impregnable at home in the 90s. India won a total of 14 Tests with a win percentage of 29.78. The partnership of Azhar as captain and Anil Kumble as his enforcer was one of the great sights of Indian cricket.
#3 Sourav Ganguly – 49 Tests
It was under Sourav Ganguly that India’s ascension in Test cricket began. India won a historic series in Pakistan in 2004, levelled series in England and Australia away from home. Ganguly led the Indian team in 49 Tests winning 21 of them at a success percentage of 42.85.
#2 MS Dhoni – 60 Tests
There is little doubt that MS Dhoni is one of the finest leaders in the white ball game. His Test captaincy numbers took a hit especially away from home. MS Dhoni led the side in 60 Tests winning 27 of them with a win percentage of 45.
#1 Virat Kohli – 68 Tests
His numbers as Test captain are up there with the very best in the business. Virat Kohli’s India was the side to beat in Tests during his captaincy reign. He led the side in 68 Tests winning 40 of them. Kohli’s win percentage of 58.82 is among the greatest track record of all time.
