Virat Kohli is India's most successful Test captain in England
12 May 2025

India are set to embark on their much-awaited tour to England following the 2025 IPL season.

However, they will be without their most prolific batter, Virat Kohli. Following in Rohit Sharma's footsteps, Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

India, who are undergoing a transition phase, aim to win their first Test series on England soil since July 2007.

Here are the stats.

Most Test wins as Indian captain in England
Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, India's most successful Test skipper, has led the side in 10 Tests on England soil.

As per ESPNcricinfo, no other player has captained India in more than nine such Tests. MS Dhoni follows Kohli on this list with nine appearances.

Under Kohli, India won three and lost six Tests in England between 2018 and 2021 (Draw: 1).

Multiple Test wins in England
Fact

It is worth noting that Kohli is one of only two Indian captains with multiple Test wins on England soil. Under the legendary Kapil Dev, India beat England 2-0 away from home in 1986.

India's milestones wins in the nation
Milestones

India's first-ever Test series win in England came in 1971, under Ajit Wadekar's leadership. They beat England 1-0.

In 2007, Rahul Dravid led India to their first Test series win (1-0) in England in 21 years.

Notably, India's only Test win at Headingley, Leeds, in the 21st century came in 2002.

In 2021, India won at The Oval after over 50 years, under Kohli.

Indian captains with win at Lord's
Fact

Only three Indian captains have won a Test at Lord's, the Home of Cricket. Kapil was the first to achieve the feat in 1986, with Dhoni (2014) and Kohli (2021) following suit.

Most Test runs as Indian captain in England
Runs

Kohli leads the show in terms of runs as well, among Indian captains, in England.

He has racked up 868 runs at an average of 45.68 while leading India in the country. Dhoni follows him with 569 runs.

Kohli is one of only two Indian captains with multiple Test tons in England. He has tallied two centuries, as many as Mohammad Azharuddin owns.