Virat Kohli is currently one of the best players in world cricket. However, more than just his contribution as a batsman. Kohli has been leading the Indian Cricket Team in all three formats since 2017. In 2014, Kohli was handed over the Test reigns. As Indian captain after MS Dhoni announced his retirement midway through India's tour of Australia in 2014/15. While Virat Kohli didn't taste success during his maiden Test series as captain, he has had a brilliant captaincy record thereafter in the past few years.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Number of matches each team needs to win to qualify for playoffs

In 2017, Kohli was named the full-time India captain. After he was handed over the captaincy in the limited-overs format too. While Kohli is still due to winning any major ICC trophy, his Test record as captain speaks volumes of his leadership and India's consistency in the shorter forms of the game.

Virat Kohli has led India in 65 ODI wins as captain. He's the fourth most successful ODI Indian captain after the likes of MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and M Azharuddin. Moreover, Virat Kohli is the second most successful T20I captain of India with 27 wins. MS Dhoni has secured the most T20I wins (42) as Indian captain. SportzPoint.com has all the details for you.

However, Let's see the records of Virat Kohli as captain in white-ball cricket (ODIs & T20Is).

Virat Kohli's Captaincy records in ODIs

• Virat Kohli has led India in 65 ODI wins as captain. He's the fourth most successful ODI Indian captain after the likes of MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and M Azharuddin.
•  Virat has the second most runs as Indian ODI skipper (5449 runs) after MS Dhoni. However, Dhoni registered a tally of 6641 runs ODI runs in 200 matches as captain for India.
• He has scored the most number of ODI centuries by an Indian captain. Kohli is only behind Ricky Ponting, who scored 22 centuries during his tenure as captain of Australia.

Read Also: Cricket records: Virat Kohli scores Fastest 23000 international runs

Captaincy records of Virat Kohli in T20Is

• Virat Kohli is the second most successful T20I captain of India with 30 wins. Also, MS Dhoni has secured the most T20I wins (42) as Indian captain.
• Kohli has scored the most T20I runs by an Indian skipper. With 1421 T20I runs, Virat is ranked fourth among captains with the most runs in T20Is.
• Kohli also holds the record for scoring the quickest 1000 T20I runs as captain. He took a mere 30 innings to claim the milestone, which happens to be an inning quicker than South Africa's Faf du Plessis.
• Only Indian skipper to win T20I bilateral series in all SENA nations. Under him, India won 5-0 in New Zealand in 2020, 2-1 in Australia in 2020, 2-1 in England in 2018, and 2-1 in South Africa in 2018.
• With 27 T20I wins, Kohli is ranked fourth among most T20I wins as Captain. He's only behind Asghar Afghan, MS Dhoni, and Eoin Morgan among T20I captains.

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 08/12/2021.

After a disappointing 2-0 clean sweep defeat against South Africa, Team India is all set to begin their three-match ODI series against the Proteas beginning on November 30. The series comes at a time when India are dealing with key injury setbacks at the top of their white-ball setup. 

Newly appointed ODI captain Shubman Gill, who was slated to lead the side for the first time in the format, has been ruled out after injuring his neck during the first Test in Kolkata. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also continues his recovery from the injury he suffered on India’s tour of Australia, leaving the leadership group temporarily depleted. In their absence, the responsibility of leading the team returns to KL Rahul, who last captained India in the 2023 ODI series against South Africa, a contest India won 2–1. 

So, before the India vs South Africa ODI series to begin, let's take a look at the result of every ODI series between India and South Africa.

Also Read: India under Gautam Gambhir coaching

India vs South Africa: Head-to-head stats in ODIs

The ODI format has been very competitive between these two teams. South Africa has been stronger in one-day cricket with more wins overall. Both teams have played exciting cricket in World Cups and bilateral series. South Africa is known for their strong ODI team, while India has also had great success in this format.

Out of 94 matches total, South Africa has won 51, while India has won 40 matches. This shows South Africa’s edge in ODI cricket.

India vs South Africa: Last encounter in ODI

The last encounter between India and South Africa in an ODI was during the three-match ODI series in 2023 in Paarl, South Africa.

Sanju Samson hit a fine century as India defeated South Africa by 78 runs in the third ODI to clinch the series. Sent into bat, India lost both the openers early before Samson (108 off 114 balls), which was his maiden ODI hundred, and Tilak Varma (52 off 77 balls) made useful contributions to take 296 for eight. Rinku Singh (38 off 27) also chipped in for the visitors.

Chasing 297, opener Tony de Zorzi made 81 off 87 balls but none of the other Proteas batter could support him as the hosts were bowled for 218 in 45.5 overs. For India, Arshdeep Singh (4/30), Washington Sundar (2/38) and Avesh Khan (2/45) were the main wicket takers.

Also Read: Every India vs South Africa Test Series Results

India vs South Africa: Full Series Results

After winning the T20 World Cup last year, in July, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team in place of Rahul Dravid. Since then India have won seven Tests, lost 10 and drawn two under Gautam Gambhir coaching. Again all focus has shifted to him once again after the team's embarrassing defeat in the second Test by 408 runs under his coaching as South Africa completed a 2-0 clean sweep at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. India were bowled out for 140 runs in their second innings while chasing the 548-run target. After this, India endured its second home Test series defeat under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni: Comparison in Test cricket

Fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games

The team is in bad shape under Gambhir's coaching as India is going through a challenging transition phase, this was their fifth Test defeat at home in the last nine games. Under Gambhir, India witnessed a new low last year when they lost a Test series for the first time in 12 years after New Zealand thrashed them 3-0. The defeat was also first for India at home under new skipper Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy role following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

India lost to Sri Lanka after 18 years

Last year, in July-August, the Indian team went on a tour of Sri Lanka. This was India's first series after Gautam Gambhir became the coach. After winning the T20 World Cup, India's youth team had reached Sri Lanka.

India then had to face 0-2 defeat in the ODI series. After 18 years, the Indian team had lost to Sri Lanka in a bilateral series.

Embarrassing defeat in front of New Zealand

When the New Zealand came to India last year, everyone must have felt in the beginning that by winning this series easily, we will present a strong claim for the World Test Championship final.

On the contrary, India lost 0-3 in this series. This was the first time since 2012 that India lost a Test series at home. New Zealand not only defeated India but also whitewashed them.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

Lost Border Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years

Team India had been winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy continuously for the last 10 years. They defeated the Kangaroos in four consecutive series. During this period, Australia was defeated twice at their own home. India also got the good fortune of defeating Australia in Gabba after almost 30 years.

Now this victory chariot of India has broken under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir. The last time Australia won the Test series against India was in the year 2014-15.

Let's take a look at India's result under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.

India's T20I record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 26, Won: 20, Lost: 3, NR: 3

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 T20Is): India won 2-0
• India vs Bangladesh (3 T20Is): India won by 3-0
• South Africa vs India (4 T20Is): India won by 3-1
• India vs England (5 T20Is): India won by 4-1
• Asia Cup 2025 (6 T20Is): India won Asia Cup by beating Pakistan in the final
• Australia vs India (5 T20Is): India won 2-1

India's ODI record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 14, Won: 9, Lost: 4, NR: 1

• Sri Lanka vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 0-2
• India vs England (3 ODIs): India won 3-0
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (5 ODIs): India won CT 2025 by beating New Zealand in the final
• Australia vs India (3 ODIs): India lost 1-2

India's Test record under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Matches: 18, Won: 7, Lost: 9, NR: 2

• India vs Bangladesh (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs New Zealand (3 Tests): India lost 0-3
• Australia vs India (5 Tests): India lost 1-3
• England vs India (5 Tests): Series Drawn by 2-2
• India vs West Indies (2 Tests): India won 2-0
• India vs South Africa (2 Tests): India lost 0-2

There have been very few wicketkeepers in the Indian Test team who have also made a significant impact with the bat. Legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rishabh Pant have played the role of wicketkeeper-batsman adeptly in Test cricket, leading to frequent comparisons between the two. Now, the debate has once again begun as to who is the better in Test cricket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rishabh Pant. Here’s a comparison of Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni in the longest format of the game.

Also Read: Most Sixes in Test Cricket

Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni | Test Record

Rishabh Pant has better records than MS Dhoni in Test cricket. Pant has played 48 matches, scoring 3456 runs at an average of 43.74. Dhoni scored 4,876 runs in 90 matches at an average of 38.09. Dhoni had six centuries in Test cricket while Pant now has 8.

Rishabh Pant vs MS Dhoni | Wicketkeeping Record in Test

Both Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni, apart from being exceptional batters for team India, have been just as impressive behind the stumps as well. After 90 Test matches, MS Dhoni had a total of 294 dismissals, where he did 38 stumpings and took 256 catches behind the stumps. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant, after 48 Tests has a total of 244 dismissals to his name that includes 15 stumpings and 158 catches as wicket keeper.

Also Read: Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players

Dhoni's stature in Indian cricket goes well beyond his contributions behind the stumps or with the bat. He led India to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy and was captain when the team first rose to the No.1 spot in the Test rankings in 2008. When asked about the comparisons, Pant made it clear that he is only concentrating on his own game.

In Test cricket, big scores and heroic partnerships often make the headlines. But the sport also has days when everything goes wrong for a batting side. For India, a team known for world-class batters across generations, there have still been several occasions where the batting lineup collapsed unexpectedly.

This article looks at the top six lowest Test totals in India’s history, including the recent 93 all out against South Africa, explaining when it happened, where it happened, and how the innings unfolded.

6. 93 all out vs South Africa (Kolkata, 2025)

India’s most recent entry in the list came in 2025 at Eden Garden in Kolkata, where they were bowled out for 93 runs against South Africa. This innings marked their sixth-lowest total in Test history.

The Eden Gardens pitch had some early moisture, which helped the South African fast bowlers get swing and seam straight away. They used the conditions very well, bowled in the right areas, and kept the Indian batters under pressure from the first session.

Wickets kept falling regularly, and India struggled to build even small partnerships. Although the middle order tried to steady the innings, the team still could not reach the 100-run mark. South African spinner Simon Harmer played the biggest role in India’s collapse, grabbing 4 for 21 in the second innings and finishing the match with an impressive eight-wicket haul.

5. 66 all out vs South Africa (Durban, 1996)

India’s first tour of South Africa after the Proteas’ return to international cricket was a tough challenge. At Kingsmead, Durban, India faced a world-class South African pace attack featuring Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Brian McMillan and Lance Klusener.

On a green, lively pitch, India were bowled out for just 66 runs in their first innings. Rahul Dravid, playing his early years of Test cricket, top-scored with 27. Apart from him, no batter looked comfortable. Donald took 5/40 and caused major trouble with his speed and bounce. India went on to lose the Test by 328 runs.

Also read: IPL 2026 Auction: Full List of Released & Traded Players, Remaining Purse and Slots -

4. 58 all out vs England (Manchester, 1952)

India again suffered a 58-run innings, this time against England at Old Trafford. The English pacers, especially Fred Trueman, produced a fiery spell on a damp pitch. Trueman took 8 wickets and gave 31 runs in the match.

India lost wickets quickly during a morning session filled with seam movement and swing. As a result, they were bowled out in 21.4 overs, matching their Brisbane score. England comfortably won the Test and the series.

Also read: Exclusive - From England to Kalyani: This cricket-loving English couple can’t get enough of India

3. 58 all out vs Australia (Brisbane, 1947)

In the early years after becoming a Test-playing nation, India found it tough to perform well in overseas conditions. A clear example is the 1947 Test in Brisbane against Australia. Facing a powerful bowling attack led by Ernie Toshack and Ray Lindwall, India were dismissed for just 58 runs in their first innings.

Conditions were tough, with pace and bounce troubling the Indian batters. Only Chandu Sarwate, Vijay Hazare and Lala Amarnath reached double digits. Australia went on to dominate the match and win easily.

2. 42 all out vs England (Lord’s, 1974)

India’s second-lowest total came nearly five decades ago during the famous (or infamous) “Summer of 42”. India were playing the second Test of the 1974 tour at Lord’s, where they struggled badly and were eventually defeated by an innings and 285 runs, suffering one of their heaviest losses in Test history. But the innings fell apart quickly due to the swing and seam bowling of Chris Old and Geoff Arnold.

India were bowled out for 42 in just 17 overs. Only Eknath Solkar, with 18 runs, showed some resistance. The collapse led to a massive innings defeat, and the match became a historic low point for Indian Test cricket at the time.

1. 36 all out vs Australia (Adelaide, 2020)

India’s lowest Test total ever came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in the third inning of the first Test at Adelaide Oval. After taking a strong first-innings lead, India entered Day 3 with confidence. But what followed was one of the most shocking batting collapses in cricket history.

Australia’s pace trio, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, bowled with perfect accuracy and movement. India collapsed from 15/2 to 36 all out in just 21.2 overs. No Indian batter reached double digits; Mayank Agarwal’s 9 was the highest score.

This innings changed the course of the series and remains a reminder of how tough red-ball cricket can be in helpful conditions. 

Experienced Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a special feat during the first innings of the first Test match being played against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. Jadeja became the fourth player to reach 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket. The world's leading all-rounder achieved this feat on the second day of the Kolkata Test.

Also Read: IPL 2026 retention deadline day LIVE updates: Swaps, retentions, full list of retentions and releases of every team

Jadeja joins elite club

𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞! 🔓@imjadeja brings up 4000 Test runs 👏

He becomes just the 2⃣nd Indian and 4⃣th player overall to score 4⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣+ runs and take 3⃣0⃣0⃣+ wickets in Tests 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/okTBo3qxVH #TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ziWLdFgFCG

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 15, 2025

Ravindra Jadeja is the second Indian player after Kapil Dev to achieve this feat in Test cricket. Playing his 88th Test match, Jadeja needed 10 more runs to reach 4,000 Test runs. He scored a handy 27 off 45 balls, thereby reaching the 4000-run milestone in the format. Reaching the milestone also made Jadeja only the fourth cricketer in history to score over 4000 runs and pick up over 300 wickets in the longest format of the game.

Only Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev (5248 runs and 434 wickets in 131 matches), English icon Ian Botham (5200 runs and 383 wickets in 102 matches) and New Zealand spin wizard Daniel Vettori (4531 runs and 362 wickets in 113 matches) have managed the feat before Jadeja.

Second fastest player to reach the milestone

Jadeja is also the second fastest player to reach this milestone. He achieved this feat in 88 Test matches. Only Botham is ahead of him in this feat, who reached 4000 runs and 300 wickets in his 72nd Test match.

Jadeja's record in Test cricket

Jadeja has played 88 Test matches for the Indian cricket team to date, accumulating 4017 runs at an average of close to 40 with six centuries and 27 half-centuries. The southpaw also has 338 wickets to his name in the format at an average of 25.25.

Also Read: Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket by an Indian bowler

India took a slight lead

At the end of the first session on day two, India was 138/4, with Ravindra Jadeja (11*) and Dhruv Jurel unbeaten. Rishabh Pant (27 in 24 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Washington Sundar (29 in 82 balls, with two fours and a six) failed to convert their starts into something big, while skipper Shubman Gill had retired hurt after pain in his neck following a sweep shot for four.

India had resumed the action at 37/1, trailing by 122 runs in response to South Africa's first innings total of 159. Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) were unbeaten.