Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni: Statistical comparison (Test captaincy)
Virat Kohli stepped down as India's captain in Test cricket on Saturday. He announced the same a day after India lost the three-match series to South Africa. Kohli finishes as India's most successful Test captain. He had surpassed his predecessor, MS Dhoni, in terms of wins in 2019. Considering the same, we compare the captaincy numbers of Kohli and Dhoni in Tests.
Kohli is India's most successful Test captain
At 33, Kohli is already India's most successful captain in Test cricket. Under him, India won 40 of 68 Tests and lost 17 Meanwhile, 11 of them resulted in a draw. He broke the record of his predecessor Dhoni in 2019 by registering his 28th win as Test captain. The latter led India to 27 Test wins during his tenure.
A look at their distinctions as Test captains
Both captains scaled several mountains during their span. Dhoni remains the only Indian captain besides Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to win a Test series in New Zealand. Similarly, Kohli, in 2018, led India to their maiden Test series win Down Under. Meanwhile, the duo shares a special feat of making India the number one Test side in their respective tenures.
Most Test wins as captain at home
In 2021, Kohli surpassed Dhoni in terms of Test wins as captain at home. The stunning victory in the Day/Night Test against England gave Kohli his 22nd Test win as a captain in home conditions as compared to Dhoni's 21. While India lost only one series under Dhoni at home, Team India remained invincible in home conditions.
Kohli led India to 16 wins overseas
It is interesting to note that both Dhoni and Kohli captained India in at least 30 Tests away from home. Under the former, India managed to win only six and lost 15 matches. Kohli boasts a much better record with 16 wins and 14 defeats.
Most Test runs by an Indian captain
The batting numbers of Kohli touched a new high after he took charge. While leading India, he scored 5,864 runs at an astonishing average of 54.80. The incredible tally includes 20 tons and 18 half-centuries. He also owns the highest individual Test score by an Indian captain (254*). Meanwhile, Dhoni remains the second-highest run-scorer among Indian skippers (3,454 at 40.63, HS: 224).
Runs scored in winning cause as captain
In the Tests won as captain, Kohli has contributed 3,573 runs with the bat at a prolific average of 57.62, including 11 tons. On the other hand, Dhoni amassed 1,683 runs at an average of 56.10 (four tons) in 27 wins.
Captain Kohli was a cut above the rest
In November 2013, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar said Goodbye to international cricket at Wankhede. Little did everyone know that Dhoni was leading India for the last time in Test cricket at home. On the 2014/15 Australian tour, he handed over the reins of Test captaincy to Kohli, having retired from the format silently. And now, Kohli's retirement has generated a lot of buzz.
