5 Indian captains with most consecutive Tests without a defeat

The history of Indian cricket has seen a number of great captains and Virat Kohli seems to be the latest addition to this list. Ever since Kohli has taken over the reins of Team India in the longest format following MS Dhoni’s sudden retirement from Tests, the team has been playing a completely different brand of cricket.

Under his captaincy, India has enjoyed unprecedented success and he is already making a case for being counted among the best skippers of all time in the country’s cricket down the line. Statistically speaking, Kohli is already rubbing shoulders with some of the finest Indian captains in terms of the most matches without suffering a loss.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 Indian skippers in this regard and where Virat Kohli stands in comparison with them:

#5 MS Dhoni – 11 matches

Apart from the limited overs success that India achieved under MS Dhoni, he also gave the team a number of moments to savour in the Test arena. Dhoni holds one of the longest undefeated streaks for an Indian skipper and it lasted for as many as 11 matches.

It started off with a victory for India over South Africa at Kanpur in the final Test of a 3-match series, which was MSD’s first match as Test captain. Post that, India won 7 and drew 3 matches to stretch their unbeaten run under Dhoni to 11.

However, MS Dhoni’s fairytale beginning as skipper in the longest format was brought to an end by the Proteas as they inflicted an innings defeat on the Indians at Nagpur in 2010.

#4 Mohammad Azharuddin – 14 matches

Mohammad Azharuddin is among India’s best skippers ever

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin is one of the most successful Test captains that the country ever had. Although Azhar had a pretty poor overseas record as skipper, he did ensure that India maintained their dominance at home.

There was a phase under his captaincy that the team was unbeaten in 14 consecutive Tests. The streak began with the last Test of India’s historic tour to South Africa in 1992/93 at Cape Town, where the visitors managed to secure a draw.

A loss to the West Indies at Mohali in 1994 brought an end to this phase, during which the Indian team won 10 and drew 4 Tests.

#3 Virat Kohli – 16 matches

Virat Kohli has had a dream run as India’s Test skipper so far

India’s current Test skipper, Virat Kohli, has been breaking new barriers with every match that he is playing in the coveted role. With him at the helm of affairs, the Indian team is presently going through an undefeated streak which has swelled to 16 Tests already.

Since losing his first Test as full-time skipper on the tour to Sri Lanka last year, Kohli has led India to 12 victories whereas 4 Tests have ended in a draw. This is perhaps the greatest run ever for an Indian captain in the early stages of his stint.

With a number of home Tests still left to play for India this season, one can expect Virat Kohli to race to the top of this list in the near future.

#2 Kapil Dev – 17 matches

India drew a lot of matches under Kapil Dev’s captaincy

As a captain, we primarily remember Kapil Dev as the man who led India to its first ever World Cup triumph. However, he also did a pretty decent job as a Test skipper and his run included an undefeated streak of 17 matches between the years 1985 and 1987.

It began with a drawn Test against Sri Lanka at Kandy on India’s tour to the Emerald Isle in 1985. This period saw the team win 4 Tests under Kapil’s leadership whereas 13 matches ended in a stalemate.

Pakistan brought an end to this streak at Bangalore in 1987 in a Test which turned out to be Kapil Dev’s last as Indian skipper.

#1 Sunil Gavaskar – 18 matches

Gavaskar was highly successful during his first few years as Indian captain

Indian batting legend, Sunil Gavaskar, was also one of the better captains in the country’s cricketing history. The ‘Little Master’ led the team in 47 Tests during his career and this included an unbeaten streak which extended to the first 18 matches of his tenure as skipper.

Having registered a victory in his first Test as captain against New Zealand at Auckland in 1976, Gavaskar took over full-time when West Indies toured India in 1978/79. The Indians won 6 Tests and drew 12 during this successful phase under the legendary cricketer.

It was the Australian team which ended this streak when they inflicted an innings defeat on India at the SCG.