Test cricket is the version of cricket with the longest match duration and is regarded as the top level of the game. Test matches are contested between national representative teams that have been awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council, as assessed and bestowed (ICC). The title “Test” refers to how intellectually and physically demanding the long, arduous matches are.
Two 11-player teams compete in a four-inning competition that can take up to five days. It is often regarded as the most comprehensive test of a team’s endurance and ability.
A good test match is one of the most gratifying sporting spectacles. It has a structure as a format, ebbs, and flows, and draws us into its plot. The fact that such intense competitions occur on a regular basis is only a reflection of reality. Cricket has enough formats that specialize in compression, focus, and artificial results to accommodate for our attention spans rapidly dwindling.
The Indian cricket team has had a lot of trouble playing overseas, especially while playing test matches in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 2000s, the situation improved dramatically; still, India continues to lose test series abroad on a regular basis and has not been able to reach the consistency that they would want. In this article, we look at the Indian Cricket Team captains with most defeats in Test cricket.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi – 19 Times
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was a former captain of the Indian cricket team and an Indian batsman. He was the titular Nawab of Pataudi from 1952 until 1971 when the 26th Amendment to the Indian Constitution eliminated the princes’ privy purses and ended official acknowledgment of their titles. Under Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s leadership, the Indian cricket team has been defeated the most times. In 1961, he became the first Indian captain. Until 1974, he captained India in a total of 40 matches. Under his leadership, Team India lost 19 games, won 9 games, and drew the remainder of the games.
MS Dhoni – 18 Times
MS Dhoni is the first captain in the history of the game to win all three ICC major white ball competitions during his tenure as captain, though he was not as successful as a Test captain. Dhoni is recognized as one of India’s most successful captains in the sport’s history. However, the renowned cricketer has also been included to this list. MS Dhoni took over as India’s captain for the first time in 2008 and has since commanded the team in a total of 60 matches, winning 27 and losing 18. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, 15 Test matches ended in a tie.
Mohammad Azharuddin – 14 Times
Mohammad Azharuddin was a famous middle-order batsman and one of India’s most successful leaders, having represented his country in 99 tests and 334 one-day matches. When he was proven to be implicated in a match-fixing controversy in 2000, his international career came to an end, and he was banned for life by the BCCI. The Andhra Pradesh High Court deemed the life sentence unconstitutional in 2012. In his 10-year leadership stint, Azharuddin has commanded Team India in 47 matches. India was defeated 14 times out of 47 matches, with 19 matches ending in a draw.
Sourav Ganguly – 13 Times
Sourav Ganguly is the 39th and current president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. He is a former national cricket team captain. Ganguly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world and one of the most successful captains of the Indian national cricket team throughout his playing career. In the year 2000, Ganguly made his debut as India’s captain against Bangladesh. He has captained Team India in 49 games, winning 21 of them, losing 13, and drawing 15 times.
Bishan Singh Bedi – 11 Times
Bishan Singh Bedi is a former Indian cricketer who was most known for bowling slow left-arm orthodox. He was a member of the renowned Indian spin four and played Test cricket for India from 1966 to 1979. He appeared in 67 Tests and claimed 266 wickets. He also led the national team to 22 Test victories. From 1976 to 1978, Bedi was the captain of Team India. During his captaincy, the Indian cricket team was defeated in 11 matches while won six.
