Becoming a Test captain is never an easy task. It comes with high expectations and big pressure. Yet, some Indian cricketers have risen to the occasion by scoring heavily in their very first match as captain. These outstanding performances on Test captaincy debut have inspired teams and fans alike.
In this article, we explore the 5 Indian players who scored the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut. Each of these players made their leadership debut special with their batting brilliance.
List of 5 Indian Captains with Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut
5. Dilip Vengsarkar – 112 Runs vs West Indies (1987)
In 1987, Dilip Vengsarkar took charge as the Indian Test captain against a dominant West Indies side at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi. His leadership debut didn’t begin ideally India was bowled out for only 75 in the first innings. However, Vengsarkar showed character and played a defiant knock in the second innings, scoring a solid 102 runs under pressure.
Despite the team’s defeat, Vengsarkar’s total of 112 runs in his first Test as skipper earned him a spot among the players with the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut. His innings showed how a captain can set an example even in tough situations. Batting with such resilience under pressure revealed his mental strength and composure qualities essential for any leader.
His performance was a statement that captaincy is not just about strategy but about contributing significantly when the team is in trouble, especially when aiming for the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut.
| Player | Year | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total Runs |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 1987 | 10 | 102 | 112 |
ALSO READ: Top 5 Indian Players with the Most Sixes in IPL History
4. Sunil Gavaskar – 151 Runs vs New Zealand (1976)
When Sunil Gavaskar was handed the captaincy in 1976, it was no surprise that he responded with a classic batting display. Leading India for the first time in a Test at Auckland against New Zealand, Gavaskar delivered a match-winning performance. His 116 runs in the first innings and unbeaten 35 in the second took his tally to 151 runsearning him a notable place among Indians with the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut.
What stood out was not just the number of runs, but the way he constructed his innings. Calm, composed, and determined—Gavaskar led India to victory away from home, proving how impactful a batting captain can be on debut. The innings also signaled a bright future for Indian cricket under his leadership.
His 151-run total is still celebrated as one of the earliest examples of an Indian captain making a big score on debut, solidifying his name among those with the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut.
| Player | Year | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total Runs |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1976 | 116 | 35 | 151 |
3. Shubman Gill – 155 Runs vs England (2025)
Shubman Gill stepped into the role of Test captain in 2025 against England at Headingley. There were questions about his leadership due to his young age, but Gill silenced critics with an outstanding innings in his debut match. His 147 in the first innings was a blend of elegance, patience, and leadership. Although he added just 8 runs in the second innings, his combined tally of 155 runs placed him firmly among those with the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut.
Gill’s performance became the talk of the cricketing world, not just because of his score but because of the pressure he overcame. In English conditions, and against a skilled bowling unit, such a performance is rare. His calm approach and ability to anchor the innings highlighted that he has the potential to be a long-term captain.
Scoring 155 runs in your first Test as captain is no small feat. Gill’s entry into the elite club of Indian skippers with the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut was nothing short of historic.
| Player | Year | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total Runs |
| Shubman Gill | 2025 | 147 | 8 | 155 |
2. Vijay Hazare – 164 Runs vs England (1951)
Vijay Hazare holds a special place in Indian cricket history as one of the earliest captains to shine with the bat. In 1951, during his first Test as captain against England in Delhi, Hazare played an unforgettable innings of 164 not out. India declared at 418/6 after his marathon knock, and although the match ended in a draw, Hazare’s innings made a major impact.
His unbeaten 164 remained the highest score by an Indian on Test captaincy debut for over six decades. Hazare’s approach combined calmness with a sense of authority—exactly what was needed from a captain at the time. He was the first Indian to enter the records for scoring the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut, creating a benchmark for future leaders.
His innings was not just about building a total, but about leading by example and controlling the game—a valuable trait for any Test captain making a debut.
| Player | Year | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total Runs |
| Vijay Hazare | 1951 | 164* | – | 164 |
1. Virat Kohli – 256 Runs vs Australia (2014)
Virat Kohli’s debut as Test captain is widely regarded as one of the finest by any Indian skipper. In 2014, at Adelaide, Kohli rose to the occasion with a breathtaking performance. He scored 115 runs in the first innings and followed it with a commanding 141 in the second. His total of 256 runs remains the highest ever by an Indian in the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut list.
Despite India narrowly losing the match, Kohli’s effort was heroic. He took on the mighty Australian bowling attack and almost led India to a historic win. His innings showed passion, aggression, and a fearless approach to leadership—traits that would define his captaincy era.
Kohli’s back-to-back centuries on debut as captain set him apart from his peers. No other Indian captain has scored as many runs as Kohli did in their first match, making him the undisputed leader on the Most Runs on Test Captaincy Debut chart.
| Player | Year | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Total Runs |
| Virat Kohli | 2014 | 115 | 141 | 256 |
READ MORE: Top 10 Players with the Most Catches in a T20I Series for Nepal