Several Indian batsmen have marked their Test captaincy debut with a century, showcasing leadership and skill. This elite list includes legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Virat Kohli. Their remarkable performances under pressure highlight their ability to lead from the front and set strong examples for the team right from the start of their captaincy journey.
Vijay Hazare – 164 vs England, 1951, Delhi*
Vijay Hazare became the first Indian captain to score a century on his Test captaincy debut. A technically sound and graceful batter, Hazare was already a national icon when he was given the responsibility to lead India. His debut as captain came during the 1951 Test series against England, held in Delhi.
Although the match ended in a draw, Hazare showcased his class with an unbeaten 164 in the first innings, helping India post a solid 418/6 before declaring. His innings was filled with patience and flawless timing. With this knock, Hazare became only the third captain in Test history — after Australia’s Clement Hill and Warwick Armstrong — to score 150+ on captaincy debut. His leadership with the bat set a strong tone for the future of Indian cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar – 116 vs New Zealand, 1976, Auckland
Regarded as one of the greatest opening batters in the history of Test cricket, Sunil Gavaskar made an immediate impact when he began his captaincy tenure. Having made his debut in 1971 with a brilliant series against the West Indies, Gavaskar had already established himself as India’s batting mainstay by the time he took over the captaincy.
His first match as Test captain came in January 1976 at Eden Park, Auckland against New Zealand. Gavaskar led from the front, scoring 116 in the first innings and remaining unbeaten on 35 in the second. India went on to win the match by eight wickets. Gavaskar’s calm and composed leadership became a hallmark of his 47-match Test captaincy career.
Dilip Vengsarkar – 102 vs West Indies, 1987, Delhi
Dilip Vengsarkar, known for his elegant stroke play and gritty attitude, was another Indian great who made a strong impression as captain. A key figure in Indian cricket during the 70s and 80s, Vengsarkar took over the captaincy in a difficult phase.
His first match as Test captain was against a powerful West Indies side in November 1987 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground (now Arun Jaitley Stadium) in Delhi. After India suffered a dramatic collapse in the first innings — bowled out for just 75 — Vengsarkar rose to the occasion in the second innings. He scored a fighting 102 off 257 balls, the only Indian batter to pass fifty in the match. Despite the team losing the Test by five wickets, Vengsarkar’s performance stood out as a display of courage and resilience.
Virat Kohli – 115 & 141 vs Australia, 2014, Adelaide
Virat Kohli’s captaincy debut was nothing short of iconic. Taking charge in the absence of MS Dhoni during the 2014 Test series against Australia, Kohli was handed leadership duties at the Adelaide Oval. While India did not win the Test, Kohli’s batting performance became the stuff of legend.
He scored 115 in the first innings and followed it up with a brilliant 141 in the second, becoming only the second captain after Greg Chappell to score twin centuries on Test captaincy debut. Kohli’s attacking intent, self-belief, and bold decisions set the tone for what would become a golden era in Indian Test cricket. Under his leadership, India topped the ICC Test rankings for five consecutive years.
Shubman Gill – 102 vs England, 2025, Leeds*
Shubman Gill became the newest addition to this elite list in June 2025. With legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket earlier that year, the responsibility of leading the side in whites fell on the young shoulders of Gill.
His captaincy debut came in the first Test of a five-match series against England at Headingley, Leeds. Facing intense scrutiny and high expectations, Gill answered his critics in the best possible manner — scoring an unbeaten 102. His composed knock helped India make a solid start in the series and marked the beginning of a new leadership chapter for Indian Test cricket. By doing so, he joined the prestigious list of Indian captains who have scored a century on debut, cementing his place among the greats.
