Credit: BCCI
The Indian Test captains with the most runs in a Test series is an exemplary list of high performing and courageous batters who not only led their team from the front in terms of scoring big runs but did so in perhaps cricket's greatest and thus also the most challenging formats. Test cricket is pure cricket, they say. And when you delve deep into the individual batting brilliance of these noted names who've represented (and in some cases represent) the firmament of Indian cricket, you understand why they say what they say. From scoring daddy hundreds to making useful runs away from home the list of Indian captains with most runs in a Test series makes the fan grow even closer to the game to raise the hat of immense regard to these doting talent. Let us have a look at some inspiring record breakers.
Here's a look at the list of Indian Test captains who have scored the most runs in a single Test series
Sunil Gavaskar vs WI (Home), 1978/79 - 732 runs
A great name in the list of Indian captains with the most runs in a Test series is that of Sunil Gavaskar, a batter who countered back in the eras where fast bowlers - menacing and monstrous - loomed large on the challenging template of Test match cricket. During a mind boggling exhibition of skilful and top rated batting, Sunny struck no fewer than 732 runs in the home summer of 78-79 in India.
While the famed West Indian line up of destructive bowlers terrorised world cricket and its best set of batters, here was Sir Gavaskar who terrorised them with sheer will and redoubtable skill.
Virat Kohli vs ENG (Home), 2016-17 - 655 runs
In the year 2016-17, Virat Kohli arose to become a great name in the list of Indian captains with the most runs in a Test series. And this was possible thanks to a splendid batting effort from the then India captain who scored not less than 655 runs against England. Although he played in India, which means his own home conditions, he blunted the pace and spin attack of an otherwise challenging Test side striking dominant scores like that great 167 at Hyderabad and that defiant 235 off 340 deliveries at the Wankhede in Mumbai. In that very year, Kohli struck north of 1200 runs in Test match cricket.
Shubman Gill vs ENG ( Away), 2025 - 611 runs
The fine young Indian Test captain has already amassed 611 runs up to this point with the penultimate Test of the five match series against England already underway and having hit day two at the Old Trafford in Manchester.
Even as Gill has scored only 34 runs in his last 3 innings, his mastery in the English conditions birthed dominant and consistently big scores to the point of hitting 430 runs in a single Test, a great feat that included a personal best score of 269.
Virat Kohli vs SL (Home), 2017 - 610 runs
Against the Sri Lankan team during a Test series in 2017 that was played at home in India, Virat Kohli scored no fewer than 610 runs. A great name in the list of Indian captains with the most runs in a Test series, the Virat Kohli one saw back in the 2017 series was a behemoth of batting. The same can be said about his form a year earlier and even a year later than that dominant 2017 run.
As a matter of fact, back in 2017, the then Indian Test captain scored 1059 runs. And against Sri Lanka in that series, the right hander amassed two double hundreds, one each at Maharashtra and the other at New Delhi with scores of 213 and 243, respectively.
Virat Kohli vs ENG (Away), 2018 - 593 runs
A powerful name in the list of Indian captains with the most runs in a Test series belongs to Virat Kohli for his incredible exploits in the year 2018 wherein against England, the dominant batter born in Delhi, but loved all around in India scored 593 runs.
Falling just seven runs shy of touching 600 runs, Kohli was almost unstoppable and at his very best in a series where despite facing Anderson and Broad in their own familiar conditions, the marauding Indian batter seemed hardly ever in any discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Indian captain has scored most runs in a Test series?
It is sir Sunil Gavaskar who scored 732 runs in the space of a single series against the West Indies in the year 1978-79.
How many times has Virat Kohli scored most runs in a Test series as India's captain?
Over the course of three different series, hence thrice, has Virat Kohli scored most runs as captain of India in Test cricket. Once each in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
