Virat Kohli’s captaincy has been highly successful and transformative for Indian cricket, especially in the Test format. Let’s go over the key achievements you’ve highlighted:
Total Matches as Captain: 60 Test matches
Wins: 36 wins (23 at home, 13 away)
Kohli’s record as captain in Test cricket is remarkable. He led India to 23 home wins and 13 away wins, a feat that reflects his leadership in both familiar and challenging conditions.
By reaching 36 Test wins, Kohli equaled the record set by Clive Lloyd (former West Indies captain) for the most Test wins (36) after 60 matches as captain, making him the joint 4th most successful Test captain in history at the time.
This achievement underscores his leadership capabilities and his ability to motivate and inspire his team to perform at their best.
Date: After the India vs. England Test series (February 5 to March 8, 2021)
Matches as Captain: 60 Tests
Kohli joined M.S. Dhoni in having captained India in 60 Test matches, becoming one of the few players to reach this milestone in Indian cricket history.
This was a significant achievement, as M.S. Dhoni’s captaincy had previously been considered one of the most successful in Indian cricket. Kohli, by matching this number, showed his consistency in leading India through some challenging Test series, both at home and abroad.
Clive Lloyd’s Record: Kohli equaled Clive Lloyd’s record of 36 Test wins as captain, which is a huge milestone in the history of Test cricket.
Kohli’s Standing: At the time, Kohli became the joint 4th most successful Test captain in terms of Test wins, behind:
Graeme Smith (South Africa) with 53 wins
Ricky Ponting (Australia) with 48 wins
Kohli’s consistent success in leading India to victories in Test cricket, both at home and overseas, puts him in elite company. His ability to motivate the team and maintain performance, especially on challenging foreign tours, further elevates his legacy.
Home Test Record: Kohli led India to 10 consecutive Test series wins at home, an incredible feat in the modern era of cricket.
These home victories were part of India’s dominance on home soil, and this record was a testament to the strength of India’s cricket team under Kohli’s leadership.
Kohli’s leadership in Test cricket helped India achieve the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket, and this home record played a significant part in that success.
Virat Kohli’s captaincy in Test cricket has been groundbreaking. He has brought immense success to Indian cricket, breaking several records along the way:
36 Test wins in 60 matches, equaling Clive Lloyd’s record.
10 consecutive Test series wins at home, showcasing India’s strength under his leadership.
Kohli’s leadership has been instrumental in making India a dominant force in world Test cricket, especially in difficult overseas conditions.
Kohli’s aggressive leadership, passion, and commitment to improving his team have redefined Indian cricket. His legacy as a Test captain will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
