Test captaincy is not just about tactics or strategy; it is a genuine test of nerves, patience, and coping as a leader under pressure. We celebrate our sporting heroes for their achievements, regardless of sport – many of them had disappointing starts to their careers. Shubman Gill debuted in a Test with a brilliant 147 but ended up on the losing team – he’s in good company! Even icons like Kohli, Kapil, and Pataudi tasted defeat in their first crack at Test captaincy. Let us now look back at five examples of captains who endured bumpy starts to stellar careers as captains of the Indian cricket team.
Kohli’s Fiery Start Ends in Defeat
Virat Kohli is the face of fearless cricket today, but when he made his Test captaincy debut in December 2014 at Adelaide, he could not get a result. Kohli took full advantage of the chance, standing in for MS Dhoni due to injury, and scored twin centuries (115 and 141). India, chasing a target of 364, were in a great position at 242-2 on day three, before collapsing to 315. It was not a case of disappointment, but a new world under Kohli’s captaincy.
Bumrah’s Leadership Baptism by Fire
Jasprit Bumrah, typically a bowling terror, took the reins as captain in July 2022 for the rescheduled fifth Test at Birmingham. India piled up 416 runs, anchored by brilliant centuries from Pant and Jadeja, before setting England a target of 378. England reached their target off a Joe Root century and a Jonny Bairstow century, neither of which was disputed as Bumrah didn’t do anything wrong to the players specifically. Bumrah “losing” the match after seemingly controlling the game for most was very painful.
Kapil Dev’s Rollercoaster Debut
Kapil Dev, who still managed to deliver India’s first World Cup, was not as lucky with his launch pad to his Test Match captaincy. In February 1983, Kapil was in Kingston playing against the West Indies and was able to manage only four wickets, but he also gave a brave performance FM with batters unable to create/pay out a target more than 172 runs. Viv Richards Fishing (who would have thought he was all they really needed to win that game) and the Magpies scored over 172 runs without breaking sweat (success/pain). Indeed, this match was close but sobering. Even inspirational leaders like Kapil Dev need more than Papasan than just passion to turn matches into wins, and sometimes, it is not losing your nerve when it counts.
Azharuddin’s Cold Welcome in Christchurch
Mohammad Azharuddin began his captaincy in 1990 on an unfortunate note, when India was on a tour in New Zealand. India suffered a 10-wicket defeat to New Zealand in bone-chilling Christchurch. Azhar chipped in with a steady 48 in the first innings, but India struggled to handle New Zealand’s seamers, managing just 164 and 296 in their two attempts. This was an unenviable beginning to his captaincy, but Azhar was to go on and captain India for 47 tests, winning 14 times.
Pataudi’s Humbling Caribbean Start
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was royalty, not just by birth, but as a figure in Indian cricketing history. However, even he couldn’t avoid that beginning, as in 1962 he made his debut as captain against West Indies in Bridgetown, and India lost by an innings and 30 runs. The West Indies got 475 on the board, and even though India tried hard to stay in the game, they failed in their two-batting innings.
So, which current or future player will break this trend and win on debut? Let us know in the comments!
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