Virat Kohli Captaincy Record in Tests, ODIs & T20Is

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, closing a chapter as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches. Regarded as one of cricket's modern greats, Kohli has left an indelible mark not only as a prolific batter but also as a revolutionary captain. 

Leading India from 2014 to 2022, Kohli captained the national team in 213 matches across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, securing 135 victories. His aggressive leadership style, strategic acumen, and unrelenting focus on fitness revolutionised Indian cricket, particularly in the Test arena, where he elevated India to unprecedented heights. 

Despite not clinching an ICC trophy as captain, Virat Kohli’s tenure is celebrated for historic overseas triumphs and a fearless approach that reshaped the team's mindset. This article delves into his captaincy records across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, highlighting his achievements, statistical milestones, and lasting impact on Indian cricket.

Also read: Top 5 Best Moments of Virat Kohli in Test Cricket

Virat Kohli's Captaincy Record in Test Format

Virat Kohli assumed India’s full-time Test captaincy in 2014 following MS Dhoni’s retirement during the Australia tour. Over his seven-year tenure, he led India in 68 Tests, securing 40 victories, 17 losses, and 11 draws, achieving a remarkable win percentage of 58.82 per cent. He is India's most successful Test captain. He is only behind Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh in terms of the number of matches won as captain.

His leadership transformed India into a Test powerhouse, holding the No. 1 ICC Test ranking for five consecutive years (2017–2021). Under Kohli, India never lost a home Test series, winning all 11. Kohli’s most iconic achievement was leading India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, a feat repeated in 2020-21. He also secured notable overseas wins, including series victories in Sri Lanka (2015) and the West Indies (2016).

Virat Kohli's Captaincy Record in ODI Format 

Kohli took over India’s ODI captaincy full-time in 2017, leading in 95 matches with 65 wins, 27 losses. He ranks fourth among Indian ODI captains for most wins, behind Dhoni (110), Mohammed Azharuddin (90), and Sourav Ganguly (76). Under his leadership, India reached the 2019 World Cup semi-finals and won bilateral series in challenging conditions, including a historic limited-overs series triumph in South Africa in 2018.

Despite his stellar record, Kohli’s ODI captaincy lacked an ICC trophy, with notable setbacks in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against Pakistan and the 2019 World Cup semi-final versus New Zealand. Kohli was removed as ODI captain by the BCCI in 2021, with Rohit Sharma taking over.

Virat Kohli's Captaincy Record in T20I Format 

Virat Kohli captained India in 50 T20I matches between 2017 and 2021, achieving 30 wins, 16 losses, 2 ties, and 2 no results. Kohli is the only Indian captain to win bilateral T20I series in all SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia).

However, his captaincy faced criticism after India’s group-stage exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He had decided to step down from the T20I captaincy even before the start of the tournament.

Also read: Virat Kohli Career Stats in Test Cricket