Team India skipper and batting maestro Virat Kohli is eyeing multiple records in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship final which is being contested at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. On Saturday, skipper Kohli only had to walk out for the coin toss to enter his name in the history books. One of the most successful captains in the history of Test cricket, skipper Kohli surpassed his predecessor and legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni by leading India in his record 61st appearance as captain.
Yes, Kohli has managed to break Dhoni’s record of most Tests as captain of the Indian cricket team. Both Dhoni and Kohli were earlier tied with 60 appearances for the Indian national side as Test captains. Kohli has achieved this milestone in the final of the ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand at Southampton.
Regarded as the modern-day great, Kohli was appointed as the leader of the Team India side after Dhoni called time on his illustrious Test career in December 2014. The two-time World Cup winner of the Team India side had captained the Asian giants in 60 matches. Indian skipper Kohli has also become the first cricketer in the history of the gentlemen’s game to have featured in finals of all major ICC events.
“We would’ve probably bowled first as well. But runs on the board has been our strength. In a big final, runs on the board, however many, are an advantage. As you saw the makeup of our side, the balance is such that we prepare for any conditions. We’ve been performing really well in Test cricket. For us this is just a Test match we have to be professional in, have to follow our processes,” Kohli had said at the coin toss. Kohli has won 36 matches as Test captain and Team India has recorded 14 losses and 10 draws under his current captaincy reign.
Who is the longest-serving captain in the history of Test cricket?
Interestingly, Kohli is also the longest-serving Test captain in Asia. Former greats of the gentlemen’s game – Arjuna Ranatunga of Sri Lanka and Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan had captained their respective teams in 56 Test matches each.
Former South African skipper Graeme Smith holds the record for captaining an international team for the most number of times. The longest-serving captain in Test history had led the Proteas for 109 matches. Smith is followed by legendary Australian skipper Allan Border who captained the Baggy Greens in 93 Tests.
