Virat Kohli as Test Captain is widely regarded as one of the most impactful leaders in Indian cricket history. After taking over from MS Dhoni in 2014, he brought energy, aggression, and a winning mentality to the Indian Test side. Known for his unmatched fitness levels and never-say-die attitude, Virat Kohli as Test Captain helped change how the world looked at Indian Test cricket. Under his leadership, India not only won matches but also dominated top cricketing nations on their home soil.
List of 5 Greatest Achievements of Virat Kohli as Test Captain
5. Most Runs by an Indian in Test Captaincy
One of the most consistent performances by Virat Kohli as Test Captain was his run-scoring ability. He wasn’t just a strategic leader; he was a top-performing batter. Even while handling the tough job of leading the team, Virat Kohli as Test Captain continued to score big runs. He became the highest run-scorer in Indian Test history among captains, showing his consistency, grit, and class over the years.
Virat Kohli as Test Captain scored a total of 5864 runs in 68 Tests, at an excellent average of 54.80. This includes 20 centuries and 18 fifties, proving his ability to lead by example.
| Player | M as Captain | Runs Scored | Batting Avg | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 68 | 5864 | 54.80 | 20 | 18 |
| MS Dhoni | 60 | 3454 | 40.64 | 5 | 24 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 47 | 3449 | 50.72 | 11 | 14 |
| M. Azharuddin | 47 | 2856 | 43.93 | 9 | 13 |
With these numbers, Virat Kohli as Test Captain not only inspired his teammates but also showed the world how a leader can lead from the front with the bat.
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4. Twin Centuries on Captaincy Debut in Australia
Virat Kohli as Test Captain made an unforgettable start to his leadership journey in 2014 in Adelaide. When MS Dhoni was unavailable, Kohli stepped up and made a bold statement with the bat. He became the first Indian captain to score centuries in both innings of his debut match as Test captain. This incredible performance instantly defined the fighting attitude of Virat Kohli as Test Captain.
In that match, Kohli scored 115 in the first innings and followed it up with 141 in the second innings. Though India narrowly lost, Kohli’s leadership debut was hailed by fans and experts across the world.
| Innings | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Match Result |
| 1st Innings | 115 | 184 | 62.5 | Lost by 48 runs |
| 2nd Innings | 141 | 175 | 80.57 |
This match laid the foundation for Virat Kohli as Test Captain, setting the tone for aggressive, fearless cricket in the years to come.
3. Leading India to First World Test Championship Final
The World Test Championship (WTC) was designed to give context and purpose to Test cricket, and Virat Kohli as Test Captain grabbed the opportunity with both hands. In the 2019–2021 WTC cycle, India dominated under Kohli’s leadership and finished at the top of the table. This achievement proved the tactical and motivational strength of Virat Kohli as Test Captain.
India played 17 matches, winning 12 of them, and collected 520 points. Though India lost the final to New Zealand, reaching that stage showed the strength and consistency of the team under Virat Kohli as Test Captain.
| Mat Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | Position |
| 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 520 | 1st |
This marked yet another milestone for Virat Kohli as Test Captain, highlighting how he built a team capable of reaching global finals in red-ball cricket.
2. Historic Test Series Win in Australia (2018-19)
One of the greatest highlights in the career of Virat Kohli as Test Captain came during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli led India to a 2-1 Test series win in Australia, making them the first-ever Indian team to win a Test series on Australian soil. This historic achievement firmly placed Virat Kohli as Test Captain among the game’s finest leaders.
India’s victories in Adelaide and Melbourne gave them a series lead, and although the Sydney Test ended in a rain-affected draw, the series was India’s. Virat Kohli as Test Captain was praised globally for this triumph.
| Test Match | Result |
| 1st Test | India won |
| 2nd Test | Australia won |
| 3rd Test | India won |
| 4th Test | Draw |
This win was a landmark moment for Virat Kohli as Test Captain, proving that Indian cricket could conquer challenges even in foreign conditions.
1. Most Overseas Test Wins by an Indian Captain
Perhaps the biggest achievement of Virat Kohli as Test Captain was the transformation of India’s overseas record. India had historically struggled abroad, but under Kohli, the team became competitive and confident overseas. Kohli focused on fitness, pace bowling, and mental toughness, which led to 16 overseas Test wins, the most by any Indian captain in history.
Whether it was wins in Australia, England, South Africa, or West Indies, Virat Kohli as Test Captain built a team that believed it could win in all conditions.
| Captain | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win % |
| Virat Kohli | 36 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 44.44% |
| S. Ganguly | 28 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 39.28% |
| MS Dhoni | 30 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 20.00% |
This exceptional overseas record clearly shows the legacy of Virat Kohli as Test Captain, who took India from home heroes to global contenders.
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