Conceding a 500-plus total in Test cricket is often a sign of a match slipping out of control. And sometimes, a series.
Over the decades, Indian Test captains have found themselves on the receiving end of such mammoth totals. From the golden days of Gavaskar to the more recent stints of Kohli and Rohit, several skippers have witnessed their bowlers toiling in vain as opposition batters piled on the runs.
But who has been at the helm the most when India conceded 500+ in Tests?
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India captains by most 500+ totals conceded in Tests
MS Dhoni tops the list with 17 instances of India conceding 500 or more runs during his captaincy tenure from 2009 to 2014. Next comes Sourav Ganguly - who captained during a tough transition phase for Indian cricket.
He conceded 500+ runs in 11 innings between 2000 and 2005, often while building a fighting team from scratch. Veterans Sunil Gavaskar, Lala Amarnath and Rahul Dravid follow - each with five or six such innings under their captaincy.
Let's take a look at the full list below:
| Captain | Span | Matches | 500+ Totals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 2009–2014 | 60 | 17 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 2000–2005 | 49 | 11 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1981–1985 | 47 | 6 |
| Lala Amarnath | 1948–1949 | 5 | 5 |
| Rahul Dravid | 2003–2006 | 25 | 5 |
| Anil Kumble | 2007–2008 | 14 | 5 |
| MAK Pataudi | 1964–1975 | 40 | 5 |
| Virat Kohli | 2014–2021 | 68 | 4 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 1990–1996 | 47 | 3 |
| Bishan Bedi | 1978 | 22 | 3 |
Interestingly, Virat Kohli - despite leading in more Tests than most, conceded only four 500+ totals between 2014 and 2021. And then there is Rohit Sharma, under whom India had not conceded any such total.
Shubman Gill concedes his first 500+ total as India captain
Joe Root's masterful 150 not only made him the second-highest run-scorer in Test history but also handed Shubman Gill his first 500+ total conceded as India captain.
On a day when India struggled with injuries, misfields and tactical missteps, Root took complete control and helped England to a daunting 544/7 at stumps on Day 3. Gill's decision to delay Washington Sundar's bowling and a weakened pace attack didn't help.
With Bumrah and Siraj struggling, and debutant Anshul Kamboj proving ineffective, England capitalised with ruthless precision.