Virat Kohli has opted to step down as Test captain following India's 2-1 series loss to South Africa on January 14. Virat has already notified BCCI Secretary Jay Shah of his decision over the phone. The Indian Cricket Board is unlikely to choose Virat Kohli's successor in the next few days, given the team's next Test series against Sri Lanka is scheduled for February. Therefore, the BCCI may name India's new Test Captain just before the Lankan series. Virat Kohli was India's most successful Test captain, but let's take a look at where Virat Kohli ranks among the greatest captains of all time.
Virat Kohli’s Record as Test Captain
Virat Kohli has captained India in 213 matches in all formats. He has 135 wins, 60 losses, 11 draws, and 7 no-results matches to his belt. Virat Kohli was relieved of his ODI and T20 captaincy positions by the Indian Cricket Board last year, and he has also resigned as Test captain after the South Africa series. According to multiple sources, Virat's main priority currently is to focus only on his batting, as he hasn't achieved an international century since November 2019.
Read: Virat Kohli steps down as India's Test skipper
Virat Kohli’s Test Captaincy Record
|
Match |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
Winning % |
|
68 |
40 |
17 |
11 |
58.82 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Virat Kohli has led India to 68 Test matches. He has a record of 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws. He took charge of India for the first time against Australia in the Adelaide Test in 2014, which India lost by 48 runs. Virat also lost his final Test match as skipper by seven wickets against South Africa. Overall, he led India to fifteen bilateral series victories, six series losses, and two series draws. Last year, Virat Kohli led India to the inaugural Test Championship final in Manchester. However, India lost the final against New Zealand by eight wickets.
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Virat Kohli has scored 5,864 runs at an average of 54.80 in 68 Test matches as captain. Virat Kohli's 20th century in 27 Tests came after he was named captain.
Virat Kohli’s batting record as Test Captain
|
Match |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
100s |
|
68 |
5,864 |
254* |
54.80 |
20 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Virat Kohli's record among the greatest captains of Test cricket
Virat Kohli is the fourth-most successful Test captain in history in terms of victories. He trails only Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh in terms of wins.
Most Wins as Test Captain (Top Five)
|
Player |
Match |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
Winning % |
|
Graeme Smith |
109 |
53 |
29 |
27 |
48.62 |
|
Ricky Ponting |
77 |
48 |
16 |
13 |
62.33 |
|
Steve Waugh |
57 |
41 |
9 |
7 |
71.92 |
|
Virat Kohli |
68 |
40 |
17 |
11 |
58.82 |
|
Clive Lloyd |
74 |
36 |
12 |
26 |
48.64 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Virat Kohli is in sixth place in terms of the number of matches he has captained, with 68. Graeme Smith of South Africa is the only captain to lead a national team in more than 100 matches. He led South Africa for 109 matches, followed by Allan Border (93), Stephen Fleming (80), Ricky Ponting (77), and Clive Llyod (74).
The most successful captain of the 'Men in Blues’, Virat Kohli has captained India for most of the matches.
Most matches as India’s Test Captain (Top Five)
|
Player |
Match |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
Winning % |
|
Virat Kohli |
68 |
40 |
17 |
11 |
58.82 |
|
MS Dhoni |
60 |
27 |
18 |
15 |
45 |
|
Sourav Ganguly |
49 |
21 |
13 |
15 |
42.85 |
|
Mohammad Azharuddin |
47 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
29.78 |
|
Sunil Gavaskar |
47 |
9 |
8 |
30 |
19.14 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Given Virat Kohli's Test captaincy stats, it's clear that he is a great leader and deserves to be considered among the all-time greats in the longer-version format.
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Aftermath
India have had its most successful period in Test cricket to date under Virat Kohli's captaincy. India won a Test series in Australia for the first time in 12 attempts in 2018 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. Among the all-time greats, his winning percentage as captain is also incredible. India's pace bowling unit has improved significantly under his captaincy and is currently one of the best in the world. Kohli will be remembered as the skipper who changed the culture of India's national team, both in terms of approach and discipline.