Virat Kohli to Sourav Ganguly: India's most successful captains in Tests

Former India captain Virat Kohli has announced retirement from Tests on May 12, 2025 ahead of the upcoming five Test match series against England. 
 

Kohli has played 123 Test matches for India, where he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is currently India's fourth-highest run-getter in the longest format of the game behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).
 

Test legend Kohli also holds the record for most Test runs as an Indian captain with 5,864 runs in 68 matches (113 innings) at an excellent average of 54.80, including 20 centuries and 18 fifties.
 

Kohli is also India's most successful captain in Tests. Under Kohli's leadership, India won 40 Tests out of 68, lost 17 and 11 ended in a draw. His win percentage in the format as captain is 58.82 per cent.
 

Dhoni, who captained India in 60 Tests, achieved 27 wins, 18 losses, and 15 draws, with a win percentage of 45%. While Dhoni led India to become a dominant force at home, his away record of 6 wins was less stellar compared to Kohli's 16.
 

Ganguly captained India in 49 Tests, won 21, lost 13, and drew 15, with a win percentage of 42.86%. His 11 away wins were a benchmark before Kohli surpassed it.
 

Azharuddin captained India in 47 Tests, securing 14 wins, suffering 14 losses, and drawing 19, with a win percentage of 29.78%. Most of his wins came in home conditions.