More than 90 years after India’s inaugural Test match at Lord’s in 1932, Rohit Sharma’s team has made a historic achievement. Following their victory over Bangladesh in Chennai last month, India now holds more Test wins than losses, with a record of 179 victories to 178 defeats from 580 Tests. Cricket writer Suresh Menon examines India’s extraordinary evolution into a Test cricket powerhouse.
In every field of human endeavor, there are pivotal moments when circumstances and individuals come together to create change. In music, this happened with The Beatles, whose emergence from the same place at the same time revolutionized sound. In sports, such transformations are typically driven by a standout player surrounded by equally talented teammates. For instance, in football, Pele led Brazil to three World Cup wins between 1958 and 1970.
The arrival of a young Sachin Tendulkar marked a turning point for Indian cricket, supported by key players such as Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, and MS Dhoni. Many of them would earn spots on any all-time greats team. Before Tendulkar’s debut in November 1989, India had only 43 Test victories out of 257 matches, with more than double the losses. The remaining matches ended in draws.
During Tendulkar’s era, India achieved 78 wins and 60 losses in 217 matches, but draws still represented a significant portion, with 79 recorded. Of these wins, only seven occurred in the “SANE” countries (South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and England), where draws were often viewed as a form of victory—a mindset established in the early days of international cricket.
Domestically, the landscape was changing. Under Ganguly’s leadership and continued by Dhoni, India began to identify players from beyond traditional cricketing centers, allowing talent to shine irrespective of origin, despite the frequent political influences in the cricket board and local bodies.
Since Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013, India has won 58 out of 106 Tests while losing only 29, with just 19 matches ending in draws. India secured consecutive series victories in Australia, matching their rivals in both aggression and self-confidence. This shift represented more than a change in cricketing style; it was a psychological transformation.
Virat Kohli, though sometimes controversial as captain, was deeply passionate about Test cricket and winning—a mentality that resonated throughout the team. In his first Test as captain in Adelaide in 2014, India came close to chasing 364 runs, losing by only 48 runs. This match marked a pivotal moment, leading to a new approach where Kohli, who captained the most Tests (68), avoided draws at all costs. His draw percentage was a mere 16%, the lowest among the top six captains in history, compared to Clive Lloyd’s 35%.
Kohli was backed by a talented team, including Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul. Players from outside traditional centers continued to emerge. Additionally, India moved away from strict adherence to orthodox cricketing styles, prioritizing effectiveness over traditional techniques. Jasprit Bumrah, now possibly India’s finest fast bowler, might not have made it in earlier eras due to his unorthodox style.
The cricket board also began to respond to frequent overseas defeats, particularly after a disappointing six-month period in 2011-12, when India lost all Tests to Australia and England. As the golden generation of players retired, concerns arose about domestic cricket’s effectiveness. The board mandated that pitches must aid fast bowlers, leading to the retention of 3mm to 8mm grass, which helped discover a pool of talented fast bowlers and better equipped batters to handle fast bowling.
Consistency in winning abroad required capable fast bowlers, an area where India had historically struggled. Notable low points included their dismal performance in Manchester in 1952 and at Lord’s in 1974, where they were bowled out for 42 runs. However, their collapse for 36 runs in Adelaide in 2020 did not invoke panic or mockery, as it was viewed as an anomaly, showcasing the players’ confidence to move on to victories in subsequent Tests.
Between 2002 and 2004, India secured Test wins at Port of Spain, Leeds, Adelaide, Multan, and Rawalpindi, though they only won the series in Pakistan. Veteran writer David Frith believed that India had the finest Top 6 batting lineup in cricket history during that time, blending strength and elegance. Ironically, that celebrated team did not dominate as expected.
The current team, however, demonstrates resilience and heart. Their experiences in Adelaide and Leeds highlight their ability to forget past failures and focus on positive outcomes—a rare quality in both individuals and teams. Historically, Indian cricket relied heavily on a couple of standout players; the absence of Sunil Gavaskar would often mean the team’s downfall, and reliance on great spinners was similarly risky until Kapil Dev emerged.
In the 1960s, India managed only one overseas series win in New Zealand, which solidified their strength in spin bowling. The romanticized generation led by Mansur Ali Khan of Pataudi embodied an amateur spirit that paved the way for Tendulkar’s era, characterized by greater consistency. This foundation was essential for the emergence of Kohli’s professional squad.
When India first achieved the No. 1 Test ranking in 2009, they had not won series in Australia, South Africa, or Sri Lanka, with only South Africa remaining unchallenged now. Indian cricket has evolved, and the current stars, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, are nearing the end of their careers. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Yashaswi Jaiswal, and a new generation of fast bowlers are ready to step up.
India is set to play five Tests in Australia starting in November, putting pressure on their rivals. The Tendulkar generation laid a solid foundation, and the Kohli-Sharma era has built upon that legacy. Following the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, India’s wins now surpass losses, standing at 179 to 178 in 580 Tests—a statistical testament to the emergence of a new India.
