The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced in 2019 to bring greater context and significance to Test cricket. It was designed to give the longest format of the game a pinnacle event, similar to the ODI and T20 World Cups. Just as teams battle throughout a tournament to earn a place in the final of white-ball cricket, the ICC wanted to create a similar competitive structure for Test cricket. The championship is played over a two-year cycle, with nine Test-playing nations competing for a place in the final. At the end of the cycle, the top two teams in the standings qualify for the WTC Final.
During each cycle, every team plays six series (three at home and three away). Each series can consist of anywhere between two and five Test matches. Since its inception, the World Test Championship has produced several successful captains who have led their teams with distinction in the toughest format of the game. From Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma and Kane Williamson, they have won the WTC. Today, we take a look at the 10 most successful captains in WTC history.
Here are the top 10 captains in the World Test Championship
Pat Cummins
Australian fast bowler and Test captain Pat Cummins is the most successful captain in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC). Under his leadership, Australia played 38 matches, winning 24 and losing only 6, while 8 matches ended in draws. His impressive record makes him one of the standout captains in the competition’s history. Cummins finished with a winning percentage of 63.15. He is also among the leading wicket-takers in WTC history, alongside Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, who rank at the top of the list.
Ben Stokes
England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes is the second most successful captain in World Test Championship history. He ranks second on this list behind Pat Cummins. Under his captaincy, England played 39 matches, winning 21, losing 16, and drawing 2. His winning percentage stands at 53.84. Stokes has been one of the finest all-rounders England has produced and has played a major role in transforming the team’s approach to Test cricket.
Virat Kohli
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in Indian Test cricket history. In fact, many consider him India’s greatest Test captain. During his tenure, India remained the No. 1 Test team in the world for nearly three and a half years. Under Kohli’s leadership, India played 22 World Test Championship matches, winning 14, losing 7, and drawing 1. His aggressive captaincy and consistent results helped India become a dominant force in Test cricket.
Read More
Joe Root
At No. four on this list is England’s veteran batter Joe Root. Before Ben Stokes took over, Root was England’s most successful captain in the World Test Championship. He is also one of the greatest batters of the modern era and currently ranks among the highest run-scorers in Test cricket history. Root is steadily closing in on Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record, and if he maintains his current form, he could challenge that milestone in the coming years. Under Root’s captaincy, England played 33 WTC matches, winning 12, losing 13, and drawing 8. His winning percentage as captain was 36.89.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma became India’s Test captain in 2022 after Virat Kohli stepped down from the role. He led the team until the BCCI appointed Shubman Gill as the new Test captain. During his tenure, Rohit captained India in 24 World Test Championship matches, winning 12, losing 9, and drawing 3. Under his leadership, India remained a strong contender in the competition and reached important milestones in the WTC cycle.
Tom Latham
At number six on this list is New Zealand’s Tom Latham. Latham captained the Kiwi side in 19 matches during the World Test Championship. Under his leadership, New Zealand won 9 matches, lost 8, and drew 2. He is the most successful New Zealand captain in WTC history.
Read More
Carlos Brathwaite
Although the West Indies have not enjoyed much success in the World Test Championship, Carlos Brathwaite’s team ranks seventh on this list. He captained the Caribbean side in 32 matches, winning 9, losing 17, and drawing 6. Despite the team’s struggles, Brathwaite remains one of the most successful West Indies captains in the WTC.
Babar Azam
During Babar Azam’s captaincy tenure in the World Test Championship from 2021 to 2023, Pakistan played 18 matches. The team won 8 games, lost 6, and drew 4. He remains Pakistan’s most successful captain in WTC history.
Dean Elgar
At number eight on the list is South Africa’s Dean Elgar. He captained the Proteas in 16 World Test Championship matches, winning 8, losing 7, and drawing 1. His leadership played a key role in South Africa’s performances during his tenure.
Kane Williamson
Last but not least, at number ten is New Zealand star Kane Williamson. He is the second Kiwi captain to feature on this list. During his time as captain in the World Test Championship, Williamson led New Zealand to 7 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, making him one of the country’s most successful captains in the competition. Williamson is one of the finest players on the New Zealand cricket team, and he has done a remarkable job for the Kiwi team; the way he used to bat and captain his country even in other formats was just remarkable.
ALSO READ: IND vs AFG: Mocked for Backing Gujarat Titans Players, Here’s How They Performed vs Afghanistan
