Being the captain of a country’s Test squad, which is regarded as the highest accolade, is the hardest job in cricket. Even the greatest cricketers, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, failed to succeed while leading their Test teams under such extreme pressure. Some players, though, also work on their own skills. These three outstanding test captains have the finest home record in all of test cricket.
3. Virat Kohli
Former India Test skipper Virat Kohli was in charge of 31 home Tests, of them, Kohli managed to win 24 games while losing just two. Five of these games ended in draws. Kohli took over as captain of the Indian team for a total of 68 games in the longest format of the game after MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket. In 40 of these games, he was the team’s captain, and he had a stellar win percentage of 58.82% (17 losses, 11 draws). Sadly, for his supporters, Kohli’s impressive tenure as skipper came to an abrupt end when he announced his retirement from executive positions in early 2022.
Former Australia Test skipper Ricky Ponting is the second captain on this list. With 39 home Tests under his belt, he led the Kangaroos to win in 29 of them. He lost five while five ended in draws. Ricky Ponting led the Australian team to a streak of triumphs, just like Steve Waugh had done. Australia won 48 of its 77 Test matches under Ponting’s leadership while only losing 16 of them. After giving up his captaincy responsibilities in 2010, Ponting announced his retirement from cricket in 2012, bringing an era to an end.
1. Graeme Smith
Former South Africa Test skipper Graeme Smith enjoys the top spot on this list. With 53 home Tests as Proteas captain, he won 30 games and lost 15 while 8 ended as draws. Only Smith has led a side more than 100 times in Test cricket. When you consider that not many cricketers even play 100 matches, let alone lead them, that accomplishment is all the more impressive. No other Test captain has a better statistical record than Graeme Smith. Under Smith’s leadership, the Proteas team won 53 of 109 total Test matches while losing just 29.