Touring England is always one of the toughest assignments for any Indian captain. Swing-friendly conditions, long summers, and hostile crowds test both skill and temperament. Here’s a look at how five of India’s most successful Test captains performed on their maiden tours to England as leaders.Shubman GillOn his first Test tour to England as captain, Shubman Gill returned home with plenty of pride and accolades. Tasked with leading a relatively inexperienced side in the absence of several senior players, Gill rose to the occasion both as a batter and leader. The 24-year-old piled up a stunning 754 runs across five Tests, narrowly missing out on Sunil Gavaskar’s Indian record for most runs in a series. More importantly, his composed leadership helped India bounce back from a 1-2 deficit to draw the series 2-2. The dramatic six-run win in the final Test at The Oval turned the tide, and Gill was rightly named India’s Player of the Series.Virat KohliWhen Virat Kohli led India in England for the first time in 2018, the team ended up losing the five-match series 1-4. However, the scoreline didn’t fully reflect how closely contested the games were. Kohli himself was in top form, finishing as the leading run-scorer of the series with 593 runs. India had their chances but failed to capitalise on key moments, allowing England to seize control.
MS DhoniDhoni’s first tour as captain to England in 2011 was one to forget. India, ranked No. 1 in Tests at the time, were thoroughly outplayed. The team suffered a 0-4 whitewash, with neither the batting nor bowling clicking. Other than Rahul Dravid’s solo brilliance with the bat, India had little to cheer about during the series.Sourav GangulyIn 2002, Sourav Ganguly led India to a commendable 1-1 draw on English soil. It was India’s best series result in England since 1986. The series was memorable for Rahul Dravid’s 602-run tally and Anil Kumble’s 14 wickets. Ganguly’s aggressive leadership and belief in his young players laid the foundation for future overseas successes.
Mohammad AzharuddinAzharuddin’s first series in England as captain came in 1990. The three-match series saw India lose the opener before drawing the next two, resulting in a 0-1 defeat. Despite the setback, the series helped shape Azhar’s leadership for the years ahead.Rohit SharmaRohit never led India in a Test series in England.
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