In the context of Indian cricket, the record for the most Test losses by an Indian captain in a calendar year is held by Virat Kohli, who lost 7 Test matches in the year 2018 Following him is Rohit Sharma, who has recorded 6 Test Losses in 2024. The third position is occupied by MS Dhoni, who lost 6 Test matches during his captaincy in 2014.
Most Test Losses by Indian Captains in a calendar year
- Virat Kohli (7 Losses) 2018: Kohli’s performance as captain was complemented by his individual batting success. He scored 1,322 runs in 13 Tests during 2018 at an average of 55.08, including five centuries. His leadership style was marked by aggression and a focus on fitness and mental toughness, which transformed the Indian team’s approach to Test cricket.
- Rohit Sharma 6 (Losses) 2024: Rohit has captained India in 24 Tests, winning only 12 (50% win rate) and losing 9 (37.5% loss rate). His last victory as captain was three months ago against Bangladesh. His captaincy has faced criticism for questionable decisions during matches, contributing to India’s struggles in the series against Australia. There are speculations that Rohit may consider retirement from Test cricket after the ongoing series if India fails to qualify for the World Test Championship finals.
- MS Dhoni 5 (Losses) 2014: MS Dhoni’s Test captaincy came to a sudden end in December 2014 during India’s tour of Australia. After the third Test match in Melbourne, he announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a career that spanned 90 matches. His decision to retire was seen as both brave and selfless, as he chose not to pursue the milestone of 100 Tests, despite being one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history.
This data reflects the challenges faced by these captains during their respective tenures, highlighting the competitive nature of international Test cricket.