Before Shubman takes the wheel, a look back at the men who braved English conditions as India’s Test leaders – some soared, some stumbled, but all left a mark
The calm before the storm. That's what it feels like as India prepares to return to English soil. The five-match Test series starting on June 20 carries significant weight. Not just because the visitors haven't won a series there since 2007 but because, this time, a new leader is at the helm. Shubman Gill — the 37th Test skipper for India — finds himself walking into a storm of high hopes and a depleted squad.
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With no Kohli, Rohit, or Ashwin to call upon, the side is young, the challenge is stiff, and history doesn't quite favour the tourists. However, if the past few decades have shown us anything, it's that England has a way of shaping India's Test captains — for better or worse.
So, before Gill carves his story, here's a throwback to the last five Indian Test captains who took charge in England.
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India 416 & 245 | England 284 & 378/3
England won by 7 wickets
It was meant to be Rohit Sharma's big moment. However, COVID-19 had other plans. In a surprising turn of events, Jasprit Bumrah was appointed captain for the rescheduled fifth Test of the 2021 series, played in July 2022 at Edgbaston.
Despite a first-innings lead and centuries from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, India let the match — and the series win — slip through their fingers. England chased down 378 with ease, leaving Bumrah with a bittersweet debut as captain.
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2018: England won the series 4-1
2021 (unfinished): India led the series 2-1 before the final Test postponed
Virat Kohli's time as captain in England had two narratives. The 2018 tour was a nightmare — India lost 4-1 despite his remarkable form with the bat. However, in 2021, his leadership instilled hope.
India exceeded expectations, winning at Lord's and The Oval. They led 2-1 before the final Test at Old Trafford was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. It never resumed under his captaincy.
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2011: Lost 4-0
2014: Lost 3-1
For all his white-ball glory, Dhoni never quite found his feet in red-ball cricket abroad. In 2011, India arrived in England as World No.1 — they were humiliated 4-0.
The 2014 tour offered a glimmer with a win at Lord's, but England came back stronger, thrashing India 3-1. Dhoni's calm demeanour couldn't save a faltering line-up against Anderson and Broad.
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India won the series 1-0 (3 Tests)
The only Indian captain on this list to walk away with a series win. Rahul Dravid's men held firm at Lord's, triumphed at Nottingham thanks to Zaheer Khan's brilliance, and drew at The Oval.
India secured their first series victory in England since 1986. Strangely, Dravid stepped down as captain just weeks later. However, that summer, he established himself as a leader of grit.
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Series drawn 1-1
The 2002 series saw India come back from a defeat at Lord's to level the scores at Headingley. Sourav Ganguly's side exhibited spirit and resilience, drawing the final Test at The Oval.
While the Test matches were shared, it was in the ODI tri-series final where Dada's young team executed a thrilling chase of 326 — a moment that symbolised the new India he was building.
