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In order to understand the captains with most wins in the World Test Championship history, one needs to not just measure their wins or success ratio or even the games played, but also take cognizance of the impact that the captains had over their respective teams whilst leading them from the front. And what is truly remarkable about the list comprising captains with most wins in the World Test Championship history is that each of these names in Test cricket are, besides being big, heroes who actually led by being an example to their sides. Furthermore, two names, rather remarkable ones on this list, happen to be players who recently came to lock horns against one other when it came to the big emphatic World Test Championship final that most recently took place at Lord's, the historic venue, in England, with one emerging triumphant and with his head held high.
Let’s take a look at list of captains with the most wins in World Test Championship history
Pat Cummins
The leading figure of reverence in this list is none other than Pat Cummins. Yes, the Australian is indeed on top of the list when it comes to captains with most wins in the World Test Championship history.
In fact, so dominant has been Pat Cummins when it comes to the World Test Championship performances that he's been consistent, bringing out exceptional performances with both bat and ball.
His own form with the ball has been on the high ever since becoming Test captain, circa November 2021.
In the calendar year 2022, he took 36 Test wickets, improving his Test tally to 42 the very next year. Moreover, in the year 2024, the cricketer famously nicknamed "Superman" took 37 wickets.
On the way to the recent WTC final that was held at Lord's, Cummins led Australia to famous wins over Sri Lanka (whilst playing in Sri Lanka), beat India at home in the Border-Gavaskar trophy and even beat Pakistan at home comprehensively.
This is why Pat Cummins' name is right on top of the captains with most wins in World Test Championship history.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes finds himself second on the list of captains with most wins in the World Test Championship history. While he is currently embroiled in the ongoing Test series against the touring Indians, his record as captain in the WTC event has been rather remarkable, with comprehensive Test wins against the West Indies that happened last year. He will continue, the fans expect, to grow in stature and reverence where the further events in the WTC cycle are concerned.
Virat Kohli
Known for his commitment to excellence and for his passion to succeed, for the longest time possible Virat Kohli's name will be etched in the annals of Indian cricket for showing his team to play like world beaters and for being a leader whose own DNA as a cricketer and leader mirrored the ethos of the team he led (during his time as captain).
One of the most finest examples of his success as captain of India in Tests is his success especially when it came to playing in the SENA countries, where he drew 3 Tests and also won 7 contests. Kohli’s side also topped the ICC Test rankings for no fewer than 5 successive years, which is why he is right up there among captains with most wins in the world Test championship history.
It was under the leadership of the great man that Team India reached the finals of the WTC final in England in 2021.
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Joe Root
A class act both as captain and leader, Root, the great man with more than 13,000 runs to his name was the captain of the English side in Tests prior to Ben Stokes' leadership and it was under his tutelage that the English conquered no fewer than 12 Test victories during this time.
But it must be said that the real reason why Root's a real success in terms of being on the list of the captains with most wins in World Test Championship history is the fact that he was so good with the bat whilst being the leader. Something about his batting as captain spurred him to great heights?
The reason- 5600 plus runs, where it stands at the moment, from 65 matches at an outstanding average of 52 with the bat.
He could still become the "Root" cause of India's troubles in the contests up ahead given he can pick up a form a little bit at the moment.
Rohit Sharma
There are always captains who achieve success over a period of time and then those who are quick to excel as leaders.
Rohit Sharma, who happens to be the former captain of India in the Test level, has made way for Shubman Gill to lead the side but not before leaving something behind for the current Test team to marvel at. He achieved the decent and respect-worthy feat of amassing 12 wins from just 24 Tests with a 50 percent success record.
Moreover, from the onset of 2019 to 2024, during his time with the Test team also including his leadership stint, he scored 2700 plus Test runs from 40 games, with a very decent batting average north of 41.
Sharma the mega run-scorer also hit 9 centuries during his time.
Temba Bavuma
One of the sure shot leaders, and a genuinely gifted one, when it comes to the list of the captains with most wins in the World Test Championship history, Bavuma's tale is that of success and inspiration and forget not, about giving remorseless Protea critics the chance to eat their words. For it is them who trolled this mighty cricketing outfit by calling them chokers - what do they have to say now?
Bavuma captured from just 10 Tests, the briefest number of games led by anyone in the captains with most wins in WTC history, 9 victories. And if that is not inspirational then what is?
List of captains with most wins in World Test Championship history
Name | Matches | Wins |
Pat Cummins | 35 | 20 |
Ben stokes | 30 | 18 |
Virat Kohli | 22 | 14 |
Joe Root | 32 | 12 |
Rohit Sharma | 24 | 12 |
Temba Bavuma | 10 | 9 |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Which captain has most wins in the WTC history?
Pat Cummins holds the record for the most wins by a captain in World Test Championship history. He has led Australia in 35 matches, winning 20 of them
Q2. Which captain in the WTC history has least number of wins?
This one is a bit interesting. He is called one of the best players of the cover drive- Babar Azam
Q3. Is there a West Indies captain in the list?
Kraigg Brathwaite with 9 wins does find a mention in the list of most successful WTC captains even as his tenure hasn't been a particularly rewarding one