Sachin Tendulkar to Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli: 10 India Cricketing Icons who are part of most Test wins

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IND vs AUS: Winning a Test match in cricket is considered an incredible achievement. It is the ultimate test of skill, stamina, strategy and mental toughness in cricket. Unlike shorter formats, Test cricket demands players to endure five gruelling days, where the red ball swings and seams more, challenging even the best batters.

In fact, the conditions often favour bowlers early on, but as the pitch deteriorates, the spinners come into the picture to trouble the batters, which makes every session unpredictable. Indian cricket has witnessed several icons who have consistently contributed to wins over the decades.

In the process, they carved their names in history as part of the most Test wins. Let's explore the 10 Indian players who have been part of the highest number of Test wins.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (72 wins): The "God of Cricket" leads this illustrious list with 72 Test wins. Representing India in a career spanning over two decades, Tendulkar was instrumental in guiding the team to historic victories. The Little Master scored 15,921 runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.78, including 6 double centuries, 51 centuries and 68 fifties.

2. Virat Kohli (62* wins): Only trailing Tendulkar, Virat Kohli has become a modern-day legend. Known for his aggressive captaincy and remarkable batting consistency, the former Indian skipper has been part of 62 Test wins. In 119 Tests, the Delhi-born cricketer has amassed 9,175 runs at an average of 49.92, laced with 7 double centuries, 29 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin (61* wins): Ravi Ashwin, who is considered one of the greatest spinners of all time, has been instrumental in India's success, especially in home conditions. He is known for his potential to adapt to different conditions and his knack for picking up wickets at clutch moments. Overall, he has been a part of 61 wins so far. He has taken 536 wickets in 105 Tests, including eight 10 wicket-hauls and 37 fifers. On the contrary, he scored 3474 runs, laced with six centuries and 14 fifties.

4. Cheteshwar Pujara (58* wins): Cheteshwar Pujara has often come out on top in challenging conditions. Pujara has recently fallen out of the selectors' radar and was last seen in the WTC 2023 final against Australia. Over the years, he has absorbed pressure and worn down bowlers, which has been key to India's many memorable victories. The 36-year-old scored 7195 runs in 103 Tests, including 3 double centuries, 19 centuries and 35 fifties.

5. Rahul Dravid (56 wins): Popularly known as the 'Wall of Indian Cricket' for his sheer resilience and ability to perform in tough conditions, Dravid has been one of the vital cogs of Indian cricket history during the playing days of his cricketing career. cornerstone of Indian cricket during his career. He scored 13,288 runs in 164 matches at an average of 52.31, with 5 double centuries, 36 centuries and 63 fifties.

6. Ishant Sharma (48 wins): The lanky pacer has been a spearhead of India’s bowling attack for over a decade. The Delhi-born who is one of only two Indian fast bowlers to play 100 Tests has been a part of 48 Test wins for India. During his career, he has delivered breakthroughs, which have been pivotal in several Test wins, especially overseas matches in England and Australia. In 105 Tests, he has bagged 319 wickets at an average of 32.40, including 11 five-wicket hauls.

7. Ravindra Jadeja (47* wins): Jadeja who is a huge three-dimensional asset for India has been a part of 47 Test wins. Having played 77 Tests, he took 319 wickets at a bowling average of 23.8 including 15 fifers and scored 3235 runs, including 4 centuries and 21 fifties and has played a pivotal role in the team's wins.

8. VVS Laxman (47 wins): VVS Laxman has been one of the important batting pillars in the history of Indian cricket. The Indian batting great has helped the Indian team script incredible turnarounds, including his iconic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, which is described as the best innings in the history of Test cricket, considering the context and circumstances of the game. Laxman who has been involved in many historic wins for India has been a part of 47 Test wins. He scored 8781 runs at an average of 46, laced with 2 double centuries, 17 centuries and 56 fifties.

9. Ajinkya Rahane (44 wins): Ajinkya Rahane has been a dependable middle-order batter, scoring 5,077 runs in 85 Tests at an average of 38.52, with 12 centuries and 27 fifties. He played key innings in overseas victories, including his spectacular 112 at Lord's in 2014 and the captain’s knock of 112 in Melbourne during the 2020-21 Australia series. Under his captaincy, India famously scripted a 2-1 series win against Australia Down Under in 2020-21. Overall, the seasoned cricketer has been a part of 44 Test wins.

10. Anil Kumble (43 wins): Anil Kumble, who is India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests has been a part of 43 Test wins. India’s most successful bowler, Kumble accounted for 619 dismissals in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65, with 35 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls. He etched his name into the record books by registering 10/74 against Pakistan in Delhi and is one of the three cricketers to have achieved the rare feat of taking 10 wickets in an innings. The other two were Jim Laker (10/53) and Ajaz Patel (10/119).