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From Virat Kohli To Shubman Gill: Most Runs For Indian Skippers On Test Captaincy Debut

Kaushik Kashyap

Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. [Source - BCCI/x.com]Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. [Source - BCCI/x.com]

Taking charge as Test captain is never easy, but a few Indian names have turned their debut matches as captain into unforgettable performances with the bat. These players did not just lead the team, they led by example, delivering remarkable individual scores under immense pressure.

From gritty centuries to commanding tally of runs across both the innings, their efforts stand out in Indian cricket history. Here is a look at the highest run tallies by Indian Test captains in their very first match at the helm.

5. Dilip Vengsarkar - 112 Runs vs WI, 1987

One of the most reliable names for India in overseas Tests, Dilip Vengsarkar began his captaincy stint in style against the West Indies in Delhi. After India was dismissed for just 75 in the first innings, Vengsarkar led from the front in the second, scoring a gritty 102 off 257 balls. Though the match ended in defeat, his total of 112 runs in the game marked a valiant start to his captaincy journey.

4. Sunil Gavaskar - 151 Runs vs NZ, 1976

The fourth name on this prestigious list is the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, the original master blaster of Indian cricket who led India for the first time against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland back in 1976. Gavaskar made an immediate impact with a composed 116 in the first innings. He followed it up with an unbeaten 35 in the second, guiding India to a commanding eight-wicket win, an unforgettable start to his captaincy journey on foreign soil.

3. Shubman Gill - 155 Runs vs ENG, 2025

The latest entrant to this elite club is Shubman Gill, who marked his captaincy debut with a splendid 147 against England at Headingley in 2025. Displaying class and authority, Gill’s knock lit up the first innings, though he could not repeat the feat in the second, falling for just 8 on Day 4 and finished with a total of 155 runs in his debut Test as captain.

2. Vijay Hazare - 164 Runs vs ENG, 1951

The great Vijay Hazare became the first Indian to score a century in his debut Test as captain, crafting an unbeaten 164 against England in the only innings India batted in Delhi Test, 1951. Though the match ended in a draw, Hazare’s masterclass led India to a strong declaration at 418/6. Remarkably, Hazare’s 164 run tally remained at the top of this elite record for almost 63 years and still stands second.

1. Virat Kohli - 256 Runs vs AUS, 2014

The ever consistent Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored by a player in their debut Test match as captain, amassing a stunning 256 runs across both innings. Leading India for the first time in the 2014 Adelaide Test against Australia, Kohli showcased sheer brilliance with centuries in both innings. Despite India narrowly losing, Kohli’s heroic effort remains etched as a legendary captaincy debut in Test cricket history.