Leadership plays an important role in the success of a team in any sport, including cricket, and getting to lead their country is arguably the most important achievement in a cricketer’s career. Ever since the first game of cricket back in the 19th century, we have witnessed some of the finest masterminds of the game, who, through their class and genius, captained their national teams to great heights. Even though the position is filled with pressure and responsibility, some players have fulfilled these duties with flying colors and have taken their teams to the next level. From MS Dhoni to Allan Border, here’s the list of players with the most matches played as captain.

Also Read: Most Test wickets as captain

Most matches played as captain

5# Allan Border | 271 Matches

Allan Border is regarded as one of the greatest Australian captains and batters of all time. He too scored more than 15,000 runs in an illustrious career spanning over 15 years. Border Played 271 matches while leading the Australian team. 

Coming in at a time when Australian cricket was enduring a tough phase after Kim Hughes' resignation as skipper in 1984/85, Border led his team to glory in the 1987 World Cup, followed by Ashes success. Allan Border also holds the record for leading a side in the most consecutive Test matches (93) between December 1984 and March 1994. 

Border also holds a record of being the only player in the history of the game to score 150 runs in each innings of a Test match, when he achieved the feat in the drawn third Test of the Australia tour of Pakistan 1979/80.

4# Graeme Smith | 286 Matches

Former South African opener Graeme Smith became the Proteas’ youngest-ever captain when he was given the role at the age of 22, with an experience of just eight Test matches. Smith played 289 matches as a captain and won 163 out of them.

Under his leadership, South Africa was recognized as one of the best touring teams. Smith holds the record of being the only captain to play over 100 Test matches and register the highest number of wins in Test matches as a captain with 53 victories.

The major highlights of Smith's glittering career are the two double centuries that he smashed in back-to-back Tests against England at Edgbaston and Lord’s during the South Africa Tour of England in 2003. His glory as captain came when he led the South Africa cricket team in 2008-2009 in Australia and added glitter to his name when they again won in the 2012-20 tour.

Also Read: Indian Head Coach Record since 2000

3# Stephen Fleming | 303 Matches

Stephen Fleming, the successful New Zealand captain, predominantly played his cricket in the pre-T20 era, especially when it comes to the international stage. Fleming led his team to their only ICC trophy at the Knockout Trophy in 2000. He also captained New Zealand to victory in their first-ever T20 international against Australia. 

Fleming played 303 matches when he captained New Zealand including 80 Test matches, 218 ODIs, and 5 T20Is, a New Zealand record and the third highest ever. Out of 303 matches, he managed to win 128 matches, which is a whopping 42.24 percent.

Fleming also led from the front during his captaincy stint and scored over 5196 runs as captain in Test cricket while as ODI skipper, Fleming scored 6295 runs. 

2# Ricky Ponting | 324 Matches

Former Australian cricket team captain Ricky Ponting is one of the most uncompromising cricket players in the world. He played 324 matches as a captain, winning 220 matches, which is a whopping 67.9 percent. Ponting led Australia to two consecutive 50-over World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007, in addition to twin Champions Trophy wins in 2006 and 2009. 

Known for his aggression on the field, Ponting is the leading scorer in ODIs and Tests for Australia, scoring 10,000+ runs in each discipline. Moreover, he is the only player to win more than 100 Test matches.

After Steve Waugh, Ponting was clear on working and taking forward Steve's legacy, which was evident in his success rate and dominance. His wittiness and leadership skills were visible in both Test and ODI cricket.

Also Read: Fav four in cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith overall stats

1# MS Dhoni | 332 Matches

MS Dhoni who is fondly called as captain cool by his fans and followers had a stellar record of most matches played as captain. Dhoni had a long span of career around 9 years to captain the team in all 3 formats. Even now Dhoni remains to be the only captain to win 3 different ICC events as captain. From showing his skill in pressure situations and Indian team domination in 2007/8 - 2011 WC would always be considered as great period for the Indian team. 

MS Dhoni has captained Team India in 332 international games which is the most for any player. MS Dhoni is one of the best captains in the world, with an overall win percentage of 53.61 across formats, winning 178 of the 332 matches while leading his team.

Including the 3 ICC trophies, Dhoni also has won 5 other multi-tours as captain of Team India. Interestingly, under his leadership in 2009, Team India attained the best Test cricket ranking of No. 1 for the first time in their history.

The upcoming edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence on November 22. The familiar foes India and Australia will lock horns for a five-match Test series. Throughout the years, the clashes between India and Australia have generated some unforgettable memories. The iconic duels, amazing displays with both bat and ball have enthralled the spectators across the globe. 

So before the start of the game, let's take a look at the players who have played the most games in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 34 Matches

Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the greatest ever cricketer in the world, has had his say as well during his playing days. Tendulkar had some outstanding periods against Australia both at home and away Test matches. He played 34 matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and piled up 3262 runs. In the year 1996, he played the first match of this trophy. He was last seen playing in 2013.

2. Rahul Dravid | 32 Matches

The Wall and India’s savior was a peril to the opposition. His resilience earned him the fabled nickname where he helped out his team in multiple tricky situations. Rahul Dravid has played 32 matches against Australia where he managed to score 2143 runs with 2 memorable tons to his name. He played his first match of this trophy in 1996. He was last seen playing in 2012.

3. VVS Laxman | 29 Matches

Among India’s highly dependable batsmen was VVS Laxman. The middle-order batsman showcased his gritty attitude against formidable foes when he noticed up 2434 runs from just 29 matches. He played his first match of this trophy in 1998. He was last seen playing in 2012. An unforgettable 281 knock against the Aussies remains the highlight as he displayed a healthy average, just shy of 50 with 6 tons to his name.

4. Ricky Ponting | 29 Matches

The former Australia Cricket Team captain, Ricky Ponting was the boogeyman for India. His aggressive style of batting and shrewd captaincy made him one of the greats of the game. Ponting played 29 matches against India where he raked up 2555 runs with a good average of 54.36 and notching up 8 tons to his name. He played his first match of this trophy in 1996. He was last seen playing in 2012.

5. Nathan Lyon | 26 Matches

The Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon tops the charts in scalping the most wickets in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. With 116 wickets from 26 matches, he is a class apart. Be it on slow-turning tracks in India or tricky bouncy pitches in Australia, Nathan Lyon has always been a dependable bowling asset for the Aussies.

6. Ishant Sharma | 25 Matches

Ishant Sharma is one of the best pacers for India in overseas Test matches. He has also got a great record against Australia in the BGT series. Ishant Sharma, who played 25 matches from the Indian side, is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the Border Gavaskar Trophy with 59 scalps with the best figures 4/41. He played his first match of this trophy in 2008. He was last seen playing in 2018.

7. Sourav Ganguly | 24 Matches

Sourav Ganguly is often credited with changing the face of Indian cricket, instilling a sense of aggression and confidence in the team. He played 24 matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and piled up 1403 runs. In the year 1996, he played the first match of this trophy. He was last seen playing in 2008.

8. Virat Kohli | 24 matches

Virat Kohli remains a key player to watch as he heads into the 2024 Australia tour. Over his 24 matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli has scored 1,979 runs across 42 innings with a solid average of 48.26. His record includes eight centuries and five half-centuries.

Ahead of this year’s IPL mega auction, JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals announced the appointment of their new coaching staff. Former India cricketers Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao have joined the franchise as Head Coach (IPL) and Director of Cricket (IPL) respectively. Badani will be replacing Ricky Ponting while Venugopal Rao will be replacing Sourav Ganguly.

Mr Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman & Co-owner, of Delhi Capitals said, "We are delighted to welcome Hemang and Venu to Delhi Capitals. Both have been an integral part of our team for a long time, and we're excited to have them on board in a different role. With their proven track record as coaches, we're confident that their expertise will be invaluable in helping us achieve our objectives and drive success for Delhi Capitals."

“My association with the franchise has been a long-standing one, and I am thankful for the trust our owners have placed in me by offering me this role,” said Rao. “I look forward to this new challenge ahead of a new IPL cycle”.

Speaking on the occasion, Badani said, “It’s my absolute honour to be joining Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners for trusting me with the job. With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out. I can’t wait to get started.”

Welcoming the new coaching staff, DC CEO Sunil Gupta said, “Hemang and Venu have both been a part of the Capitals family and are well-versed with our philosophy. We’re looking forward to working with them and achieving great things for Delhi Capitals.”

Venugopal Rao played for DC in the past

Venugopal Rao, who played 16 ODIs for India, was a part of the 2009 IPL winning squad with Deccan Chargers and played 3 seasons of the IPL with Delhi Daredevils (2011-13). He has also been part of the Dubai Capitals family, serving as a mentor in the inaugural season and Director of Cricket in the next.

Read Also | Exclusive: Inspired by Easwaran's work ethic, a more mature Abishek Porel wants to score big hundreds for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 

Badani, who represented India in 4 Tests and 40 ODIs, brings an impressive coaching profile across leagues. Between 2021-23, he worked with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL as a fielding coach and a batting coach in successive seasons. 

He also coached the Jaffna Kings franchise to two consecutive Lankan Premier League titles. Badani also worked as a batting coach with the title-winning Sunrisers Eastern Cape side in the inaugural edition of the SA20. The 47-year-old was also Head Coach of the Dubai Capitals side that reached this year’s ILT20 final.

India hasn’t seen many great keepers who are also great batsmen until the mighty MS Dhoni came in the side. Before that, there were keepers who were good at keeping but didn’t do anything significant with the bat in hand. Over the last 10 years, teams have changed the thinking, and they want keepers who can change a game with the bat as well. Most of the teams are trying to do that so that they can get that extra batting strength which can come in handy. Let’s have a look at the Indian wicketkeepers who have the most Test runs.

Also Read: Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

Most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India

1. MS Dhoni | 4876 Runs

Indian former skipper MS Dhoni scored the most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India. He played 90 Test matches in his career and scored 4,876 runs in 144 innings with help of 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries at an average of 38.09. The highest score of MS Dhoni was 224 which was made against Australia in Chennai. He is also the first Indian wicket-keeper to complete 4,000 Test runs.

Under MS Dhoni's captaincy, the Indian team topped the Test cricket rankings for the first time in 2009. Under Dhoni's era, the Indian team topped the Test cricket rankings for the first time in 2009.

2. Syed Kirmani | 2759 Runs

The former Indian wicket-keeper, Syed Kirmani played in 88 Test matches for India and remained India’s premier wicket-keeper in the late 1970s and ’80s before he retired in 1986. He scored 2759 runs and 198 dismissals in Test matches with an unbeaten 102 as his highest.

Kirmani was also the member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team, led by Kapil Dev. He had an exciting World Cup behind the stumps as the prolific wicketkeeper-batsman accounted for 14 dismissals in the tournament.

3. Farokh Engineer | 2611 Runs

India’s batter and wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer was a baz-batter (aggressive batting baseball style) way before the term was invented, who thrilled crowds wherever he played. Farokh played 46 Test matches, scoring 2,611 runs at an average of 31.08, including two centuries and 16 fifties, with a highest score of 121. He also took 66 catches and completed 16 stumpings. 

Engineer is one of the first Indian wicket-keepers who was good at batting. He played some crucial knocks in India’s important Test victories. Engineer had the highest Test rating for an Indian wicket-keeper in his time as he reached 619 points. Many Indian keepers after him couldn’t reach that rating.

4. Rishabh Pant | 2419 Runs

Rishabh Pant is a classic case of his batting skills being preferred over his keeping skills. India has a better keeper in their squad, but they have preferred to go with Pant because he is a better batsman, and he showed that in the India vs Bangladesh first Test. Pant scored a magnificent 109 (128) smashing 13 fours and four sixes in his innings. Following his century, he levelled with legendary India captain MS Dhoni in terms of the most hundreds scored by an Indian wicketkeeper. 

Pant has scored a total of 2419 runs from 34 Test matches in his career so far at an average of 44.79 with six centuries and 11 fifties. Along with his six hundreds, the 26-year-old has also been dismissed six times in the 90s and also has an unbeaten 89* against his name in India's famous victory at the Gabba.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant Sets Field: Reminds glimpses of MS Dhoni

5. Nayan Mongia | 1442 Runs

Nayan Ramlal Mongia is one of the finest wicketkeeper batsmen to have ever played for India. His screams of ‘aiga’ from behind the stumps always encouraged his fellow bowlers. Also, his gritty batting proved to be an asset to the team.

Mongia played 44 Tests between 1994 and 2001, and scored 1,442 runs with the bat at an average of 24.03, which included a maiden ton as Test opener against an Australian attack comprising Glenn McGrath and Paul Reiffel. He also has six half centuries to his name.

6. Wriddhiman Saha | 1317 Runs

India wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha played 40 Test matches and scored 1,317 runs at 29.93, the sixth most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India. He has three centuries and 6 half centuries to his name. Unfortunately, Saha’s career coincided with the last two. Of his 40 Tests, 29 came in the period between Dhoni’s retirement and Pant’s debut. And yet, Saha’s Test career came to an abrupt halt. 

During his career, Saha was arguably the finest wicketkeeper in men’s Test cricket. 

7. Kiran More | 1285 Runs

Kiran More was part of Indian teams between 1986 and 1993. More has played 49 Tests and scored 1,285 runs at an average of 25.70. He has scored seven fifties in his Test career but failed to convert any of them into triple figures and his highest score remained at 73.

A fearless batter in front of the stumps and a brilliant performer behind it, More was the complete package of a wicket-keeper any captain would love to have in their team. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Indian Cricket Board before being replaced by former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar in 2006.

India's second innings against Bangladesh at Chennai gave a small glimpse of the former wicketkeeper captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Rishabh Pant tried to set the field for the Bangladeshi fielders while batting out on the pitch. Rishabh was seen directing Shanto to put a player at the mid-wicket, assuming the ball might go there.

Shanto followed the "instruction" and filled the midwicket region This made both the commentators Tamim Iqbal and Ravi Shastri break into laughter.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma in 2024: Hitman becomes oldest captain to score 1000 runs in a year

Glimpses of "Mahi Bhai"

India's present-day wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has a good name in making cheeky comments. Normally, it is from behind the stumps- sometimes directing or encouraging his mates. Rishabh suggesting the opposition is something new. However, this is not exactly new on the Indian cricket circuit.

Rishabh Pant Setting Bangladesh Field 😭😅

Ms Dhoni In 2019 WC Did The Same Vs Bangladesh 🥸 pic.twitter.com/5hJg4AOPeh

— Rishabhians Planet (@Rishabhians17) September 21, 2024

In the 2019 World Cup, the Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni,  was seen giving similar instructions to Sabbir Rahman. Even then, the suggestion was accepted.

Read Also: IND vs BAN 1st Test: Ravichandran Ashwin smashes fastest century of his career

Pant's Comeback

The India vs Bangladesh Test Series was a highly anticipated series, considering the comeback of Rishabh Pant. And Rishabh didn't failed the expectations. With the 39 in the first innings that stabilized the base of Indian batting, followed by his 109 runs in the 2nd innings, Pant marked his comeback in the whites.

At points, some courtesy can be given to the Bangladeshi fielders for their terrible fielding. this includes two dropped catches, one of Pant, and the other of another centurian Shubhman Gill.

Rishabh Pant, with 109 runs from128 balls, have equalled MS Dhoni's record of 6 international test centuries, the most by any Indian wicket-keeper batter.

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India declared the innings after posting 287 on the board, loosing loosing 34 wickets. Bangladesh have 2 and a half days to chase 515 runs, to win the test.

Test cricket, being the purest and best format of the game, holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. Any achievement in this format is always significant. Among the many records in Test cricket, the most prestigious are those related to run-scoring and centuries. So, let's take a look at the most memorable Test centuries in cricket history.

Also Read: Most Test centuries in overseas by active batters

Sir Donald Bradman's 254 at Lord's

Sir Donald Bradman scored his first century in his maiden Test match at Lord's during the summer of 1930, when he hit 254 for Australia versus England. This is one of the most memorable Test centuries in cricket history.

Just aged 21 and batting at three, Bradman scored 254 during his knock off 376 balls, hitting 25 fours in an innings that helped his side make a total of 729/6d. That innings would be the highest individual score by an overseas batsman for just over 70 years before Graeme Smith scored 259 at the Home of Cricket in 2003.

Brian Lara's 400* against England

Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, scoring an unbeaten 400  off just 582 balls against England in 2004. Lara reclaimed his record from Australian Matthew Hayden, who only six months earlier had broken the record with 380 in Perth in October 2003.

After Lara’s mammoth innings of 400*, West Indies decided to call it a day and declared their innings on 751/5. On a laboring three days, three England bowlers were smashed for more than 100 runs with the ball.

To date, Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka is the only batter to get any closer to the record as he smashed 374 against South Africa in July 2006, but could not break Lara’s legendary feat. 

Sachin Tendulkar’s 241 vs Australia

Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 241 off 436 balls during the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar trophy is one of the most memorable Test centuries in cricket history. 

Tendulkar's innings enabled India to draw the Test match against Australia as the series finished on a 1-1 scoreline. He hit 33 boundaries during his innings which lasted for 10 hours and 13 minutes but he did not hit a single cover drive as he was repeatedly getting out while trying to play shots outside the off-stump. it was the one time when the Master Blaster shackled himself into playing like a commoner but the innings was as exquisite as any of his flashier ones.

Also Read: Most Test centuries in the World Test Championship

Ricky Ponting’s twin centuries at the SCG

For most players, playing 100 Test matches is a huge achievement, only 50 have achieved it in the history of Test cricket and Ricky Ponting is one of them. Apart from that feat, the ex-Australia captain also smashed twin centuries in his 100th Test match. He scored 120 and 143* in the first and second innings respectively against South Africa in the SCG Test.

Ponting scored 120 from 174 balls in the first innings, smashing as many as 13 boundaries to become the first Australian to score a hundred in his 100th Test match. A total of five players had recorded a century in their 100th Test match but none of them was an Australian.

Ponting brought up his 2nd century (143*) of the game in only 111 balls. In this process, Ponting became the first player to smash a twin hundred in his career’s 100th Test match and is also the only player with this feat to date.

Rahul Dravid’s 233 at Adelaide 

Rahul Dravid's 233 off 446 balls against the mighty Australian bowling attack was nothing but a great innings, hitting 23 fours and 1 sixes. Probably, one of the best Tests came from Dravid as he turned around the game in India’s favor with a brilliant innings. 

Australia posted a big total on board and the onus was on Dravid to take India close to it after four wickets fell. Dravid played responsibly and ensured India came within shouting distance of this total. He made a 303-run partnership alongside VVS Laxman that took India’s fight back. Dravid was the last man to get out after facing 446 balls and spending close to 10 hours in the middle.

Dravid was not done, though. He remained unbeaten on 73 as India chased down a target of 230, winning by four wickets. It was India's first Test win Down Under after 22 years.

VVS Laxman’s 281 at Eden Gardens

VVS Laxman scored an epic 281 against the mighty Australians at the Eden Gardens in 2001. It is a knock that defined the word legend and put Laxman’s name into the annals of cricketing history for eternity. 

Australia enforced the follow-on after being a comfortable 274 runs ahead. Steve Waugh and his men would have expected to wrap up pretty quickly. Then Laxman walked in at No 3 and delivered a memorable performance at the Eden Gardens. In the company of Rahul Dravid, he put on 376 runs that took India past 600. India declared on the final day and bowled out Australia to win the game by 171 runs.

Kevin Pietersen’s 186 in Mumbai 

Kevin Pietersen’s 186 against India in Mumbai is the best of the lot, surely. With the pressure on after his double failure at Ahmedabad, Pietersen showed he was none for the worse for his exile. Walked off to a standing ovation at the Wankhede.

Pietersen came to the crease with England 68-2 in their first innings, batting after India's effort of 326. He dominated a stand of 206 with fellow centurion Alastair Cook as England leveled the score at 1-1 and took the momentum on for another victory in Kolkata and eventual 2-1 success.

Also Read: Fab Four: Most Test Centuries

Alastair Cook’s 263 in Abu Dhabi

Alastair Cook showed ultimate endurance in baking-hot Abu Dhabi to beat the record for the longest Test innings by an Englishman.

Cook's 836-minute vigil surpassed the 797 minutes Sir Len Hutton spent at the crease against Australia in 1938 and now only Gary Kirsten (878 minutes) and Hanif Mohammad (970 minutes) have registered longer knocks in Test cricket than Cook.

Another quirk from the England captain's masterclass, which included just the 18 fours, was that when it reached 783 minutes it exceeded the length of the fourth Ashes Test of the 2015 series at Trent Bridge.