Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni: India’s Best Captains in Tests

Former Indian spinner and commentator Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has hailed Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as India’s finest captains in the Test and white-ball formats, respectively. Kohli, who captained India in 68 Tests, led the team to 40 victories, 11 draws, and 17 defeats, making him the most successful Test captain in Indian cricket history. His leadership saw a remarkable win percentage of 58.82 and ensured India remained at the top of the ICC Test rankings for an unparalleled 42 months.

Meanwhile, Dhoni's white-ball captaincy legacy remains unmatched. Leading India in 200 ODIs from 2007 to 2018, Dhoni guided the team to 110 wins, including the iconic 2011 World Cup triumph. His success rate of 55% surpasses that of Mohammad Azharuddin, who had a win percentage of 51.72 in ODIs.

Sivaramakrishnan also praised Kohli's aggressive on-field style, likening it to the legendary Vivian Richards. He remarked that Kohli’s ability to express his emotions and intimidate opponents with his demeanour makes him a standout leader. He contrasted this with Dhoni’s calm and composed leadership style, pinpointing that the two captains brought unique qualities to their respective formats.

Reflecting on past eras, Sivaramakrishnan named Sunil Gavaskar as the most strategic and analytical captain he had played under, while Kapil Dev was described as an instinctive leader who trusted his gut. He cited the 1983 World Cup, where Kapil’s decision to give Madan Lal an extra over proved crucial, as an example of instinctive captaincy at its best.

He added that Gavaskar provided players with the freedom to plan and set fields but required a clear justification for their strategies. Sivaramakrishnan also acknowledged S. Venkataraghavan as an outstanding leader, praising his capabilities as a captain.

By celebrating these captains’ distinct styles and achievements, Sivaramakrishnan offered a fascinating insight into the evolution of Indian cricket leadership across generations.