Virat leads the race: Can he become the most successful Indian Test captain?

MS Dhoni remains India’s most successful captain, but in the first 20 Tests, Virat Kohli leads the race with a better overseas record.

MS Dhoni remains India’s most successful captain, but in the first 20 Tests Virat Kohli leads the race with a better overseas record.

India's Virat Kohli celebrates after winning the third Test match against England at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali . (Reuters)

After the Mohali Test victory, Kohli now has won 12, lost 2 and drawn 6 in the 20 Tests he has led India. Dhoni had the same number of wins in his first 20 Tests but Kohli has better statistics outside the subcontinent (2 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws against Dhoni’s 1 win and 1 draw).

Anil Kumble led India in 14 Tests, after Dravid. He won 3, lost 5 and drew 6. Third on the list of most successful captains, Azhar won 14 out of 47 Tests. Given Kohli’s rate of success, he is expected to surpass him in this season itself.

Rankings boost

On Wednesday, Kohli moved up to a career-best third in the ICC rankings for Test batsmen. Starting the England series at 15th, Kohli has risen at a fast pace, scoring 405 runs in three Tests. Aussie Steve Smith and England’s Joe Root are ahead of Kohli.