The Test format is considered the most difficult of all three cricket formats. The main reason for this is that in the test format, everything from the technique of any player to his patience is tested. For any team to be successful in this format, there must be better players in both the bowling and batting departments. Whichever team has this balance better, it becomes easier for them to win. But the role of the captain is also very important in this.
In Test cricket, the game changes from session to session. In such a situation, the role of the captain of any team becomes very important. He has to make the right decisions while bowling or batting. We will tell you about 5 such captains in Test cricket history, under whose leadership the teams have been most successful.
From 2003 to 2014, the dominance of the South African team was seen in the Test format. The main reason for this was the captaincy of Graeme Smith, who was also counted as the best left-handed batsman. Under Smith’s captaincy, the South African team also won Test series in Australia, New Zealand, England and the West Indies. Under Smith’s captaincy, the African team played 109 test matches, of which they won 53 and the team’s winning percentage was 46.82.
From 1974 to 1985, the dominance of the West Indies team was seen in world cricket. At the time, the Windies team were among the most dangerous teams in Test cricket. Clive Lloyd used to captain the West Indies at the time. Under whose leadership, the team won Test series in Australia and England, in addition to India. Under the captaincy of Clive Lloyd, the West Indies won 36 of 74 Test matches. During Lloyd’s 11-year captaincy tenure, the West Indies had to face defeat in just 3 Test series.
The Indian team performed brilliantly in the Test format from 2014 to 2022 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. In the year 2015, in the Sri Lanka tour, the India team won the 3-match test series 2-1. Following this, in the year 2018-19, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the Indian team became the first team from Asia to win the Test series in Australia. Under Kohli’s captaincy, the India team won 40 out of 68 test matches. During this, the team’s winning percentage was 58.82.
The Australian team’s performance in the Test format has been impressive so far. The main reason for this has been the presence of an excellent player in the team. Following Steve Waugh’s retirement in 2004, responsibility for captaining the Australian team passed to Ricky Ponting. Under Ponting’s captaincy, the Australian team were among the most dangerous teams in world cricket. Under the leadership of Ricky Ponting, the Kangaroo team played 77 Test matches, of which they won 44.
The most successful captain in the Test format so far has been former Australian legend Steve Waugh. In February 1999, Steve Waugh was appointed captain of the Kangaroo team following the retirement of Mark Taylor. Under Waugh’s leadership, the team played its first Test series on the West Indies tour. This Test series ended in a draw at 2-2. Under the captaincy of Steve Waugh, the Kangaroo team had also achieved a record winning 16 consecutive Test series, which was stopped by India. Under the leadership of Steve Waugh, the Kangaroo team won 41 of 57 test matches.