Rohit Sharma’s success as a captain of the Indian team is notable, especially in terms of trophies, where his name is second only to MS Dhoni, both in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national team. However, a dark spot has now appeared on his captaincy career after Team India was whitewashed in a three-match Test series against New Zealand. This series loss at home freed Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin from their previous records of home losses as Indian captains, with Rohit now overtaking them.
Following the defeat in the Mumbai Test against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma has created a new chapter of failure as a captain, moving into second place in the list of Indian captains with the most home Test losses. His name is now tied to a disappointing record after the New Zealand series sweep.
Only one captain has more home Test losses than Rohit: the legendary Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Until now, Rohit was tied with Kapil Dev and Azharuddin, but now he has surpassed them.
Under Rohit’s leadership, India has now lost five home Tests in total. In 2023, India lost the Indore Test to Australia under his captaincy, and in 2024, they fell to England in the Hyderabad Test. Recently, India lost three consecutive home Tests to New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.
Both Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin each saw India lose four home Tests during their captaincy. Under Kapil’s leadership, India played a total of 20 home Tests, losing four. Azharuddin’s India also played 20 home Tests, losing four. Rohit has now led India in 16 home Tests, of which five have ended in losses.
The Indian captain with the most home Test losses remains Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Under his captaincy, India played 27 home Tests, losing nine.
Most Home Test Losses by an Indian Captain:
- Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi – 27 Tests, 9 losses
- Rohit Sharma – 16 Tests, 5 losses
- Kapil Dev – 20 Tests, 4 losses
- Mohammad Azharuddin – 20 Tests, 4 losses
