Ajinkya Rahane’s stint as India’s Test captain may have been brief, but it remains one of the most remarkable in the team’s history.
Rahane led India in six Tests, winning four and drawing two, finishing with an unbeaten record as captain. His defining moment came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he took charge after Virat Kohli returned home following the Adelaide Test.
With India reeling from the infamous 36 all out, Rahane responded with a composed century at the MCG before guiding an injury-hit side to a historic 2-1 series victory, capped by the famous triumph at the Gabba.
He remains one of the few Indian captains to have never lost a Test after leading in five or more matches, and his calm leadership during one of Indian cricket’s most challenging overseas tours has cemented his legacy as one of the country’s finest stand-in captains.
Stats watch
Matches as India Test captain: 6
Wins: 4
Draws: 2
Losses: 0
Win percentage: 66.67%
Series wins: 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Australia)
Published on Jul 30, 2026
