MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli: MS Dhoni ranks among the world’s most successful captains. Under his leadership, India won the ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the ICC Champions Trophy. He is the only captain in the world to have won all three major ICC white-ball trophies. Dhoni also holds the record for the second-highest number of match wins as captain in international cricket (178 out of 332).
However, despite Dhoni’s stellar record in limited-overs cricket, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has explicitly acknowledged that Virat Kohli is India’s greatest Test captain. Bangar’s view is not merely an opinion; the statistics also bear it out.
Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni Test Captaincy Record & Statistic
A look at the statistics reveals that Virat Kohli’s record in Test cricket is highly impressive:
- Virat Kohli: Kohli captained the Indian team in 68 Test matches; India won 40 of these, lost 17, and drew 11. His win percentage stood at 58.82%. He holds the record for the most Test match wins by an Indian captain in history.
- MS Dhoni: Dhoni led the team in 60 of the 90 Test matches he played. Under his leadership, India won 27 Tests, lost 18, and drew 15. Dhoni’s win percentage was 45.00%.
On the global stage, Dhoni is tied for ninth place on the list of captains with the most Test wins, while Virat Kohli holds the fourth position.
Only Steve Waugh (41 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Graeme Smith (58 wins) are ahead of Kohli.
Shift in Team India’s Mindset & Pace Bowling Dominance Under Kohli
When Sanjay Bangar was asked on DD Sports’ ‘The Great Indian Cricket Show’ whether Kohli is India’s greatest Test captain, he said:
“Yes, even if you look at the statistics. Because ultimately, you look at the win-loss record. Apart from that, we also witnessed a major shift in the team’s approach. While the results speak for themselves, the way the world perceives the Indian team changed. Efforts were made in every era to build a positive image for the team, but it was Virat Kohli who transformed the mindset regarding winning matches overseas through the strength of fast bowling. That was a massive achievement of his.”
Did Virat Kohli Retire Early From Test Cricket? 
Discussing Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, Sanjay Bangar acknowledged that Kohli still had more Test cricket left in him. Bangar said:
“Yes, I certainly believe he should have played more. However, he had made up his mind to put a full stop to this format and devote more time to his personal life. We must respect his decision. Now, we should simply enjoy the matches he is playing and the joy he brings to the fans.”
It is worth noting that Kohli represented India in 123 Test matches during his career. Following his retirement from T20s and Tests, the 37-year-old Kohli now plays for India only in the ODI format.
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