The top 4 Indian Test captains with the most toss wins include leaders who made significant contributions. These captains have not only excelled in winning tosses but also led their teams to memorable victories, leaving a lasting impact on Indian cricket through strategic leadership and consistency.
1. Mohammad Azharuddin – 29
Mohammad Azharuddin, India’s captain from 1984 to 2000, led in 47 Tests, winning the toss 29 times, the most by any Indian Test captain. Despite his remarkable toss record, he only won 14 of those matches. Azharuddin also had a strong batting record as captain, amassing 2856 runs at an average of 43.93, including nine centuries. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he was banned following allegations of involvement in a match-fixing scandal, marking a tragic end to his tenure.
2. MS Dhoni – 26
MS Dhoni, regarded as one of the finest white-ball captains, also had a successful tenure in Test cricket. Managing senior players like Tendulkar, Dravid, and Ganguly, Dhoni led India to the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2009 and won key series, including an overseas triumph in New Zealand. Captaining in 60 Tests, Dhoni won 27 matches and scored 3454 runs at an average of 40.63. His 26 toss wins are the second-most by any Indian Test captain.
3. Virat Kohli -26*
Virat Kohli is likely to be India’s most successful Test captain, with a record-breaking 33 wins in 56 Tests, yielding a win percentage of 58.92%. He has also won 26 tosses, tied for second-most among Indian captains. Kohli’s batting record as captain is equally remarkable, with 5220 runs at an average of 60.69, including 20 centuries. His leadership continues to redefine Indian Test cricket, as he also maintained an unbeaten record after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
4. Sunil Gavaskar – 22
Sunil Gavaskar captained India in 47 Tests, scoring 3449 runs at an impressive average of 50.72. Although he only led India to 9 Test victories, he won 22 tosses, the third-highest by any Indian Test captain. Known as one of the finest openers in cricket history, Gavaskar’s captaincy tenure was marked by challenges. Despite his personal brilliance, the team’s performance under his leadership did not mirror his individual success, though he benefitted from favorable toss outcomes throughout his career.