Top 10 Best Test Captain in the World - 2025

In the modern world of Test Cricket, the captain's service is more than just a title. It represents leadership, resilience, and strategic brilliance. A good test captain not only encourages the team to lead through difficult situations, but also to surpass their skills. As we approached 2025, the struggle for the world's best test captain has been getting more intense.

Every captain introduces their special style on the ground, which affects not only the results of the match but also the spirit of the game. Test cricket demands a patient, strategically aware, and adaptable leader who can use their sharp mind during crucial circumstances, qualities that set the greats apart from the normal captain.

Ranking Factors:

The responsibility of a Test captain is crucial in deciding the success of a cricket team. In 2025, the top 10 best test captains in the world will be determined by three primary factors: win percentage, captaincy records, and team management.

• Win Percentage: The win percentage is an important factor to assess a Test captain's success. It not only shows how many matches a captain has won, but also how consistent he has been over time. Captains with a high victory percentage are frequently regarded as excellent leaders capable of inspiring their players to perform under pressure. Because of the competitive nature of Test cricket, the win percentage is expected to increase as they evolve over the forthcoming year.
• Captaincy Records: A record of a captain shows them performing well in all sorts of situations, be it victory in a home series or excelling despite tough international tours. Captaincy records are an important ranking factor, giving away a leader's toughness, judgment, and ability to inspire his team during do-or-die moments. They reflect not only the number of games they win, but also the most important milestones achieved during their tenure as a captain.
• Team Management: Team management is a vital aspect of effective captaincy in Test cricket. A strong captain not only performs well on the field but also handles the team dynamics off the field. A captain who effectively controls these components fosters a positive environment in which players are encouraged to give their all.

Who is the Most Successful Test Captain in the world?

Over the years, we have seen some of the best captains in world cricket. Especially doing captaining in test matches is all a different ball game. It takes a lot of courage and patience. However, the all-time best test captain in the world is Graeme Smith as per the winning percentage (min 100 matches), and as per record, Ricky Ponting has led the best Australian side. Currently, in 2025, Pat Cummins is the most successful test captain in the world. In this article, we are ranking all the best test captains in the world currently, based on the above-mentioned ranking factors.

10. Shan Masood (Pakistan)

Shan Masood's route to becoming Pakistan's Test captain in 2025 has demonstrated his endurance and dedication. Masood was appointed in November 2023 following the retirement of Babar Azam. He had immediate hurdles, including a 3-0 series loss in Australia and a historic 2-0 home defeat against Bangladesh. These defeats strained his leadership and the team's morale.

However, Masood's dedication paid off during the home series against England in October 2024. After losing the first Test, he guided Pakistan to a straight victory in the second and third Tests, giving Pakistan its first home Test series win since February 2021. Masood's versatility and power of motivation have put him on the list of the world's best test captains. He has been captain for just 10 matches for the Men in Green. In upcoming years, he will surely become more experienced and versatile as a captain.

9. Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan)

Hashmatullah Shahidi has been one of the world's best test captains is a credit to his calm and composed leadership nature, and batting ability. Shahidi has led by example since taking over Afghanistan's Test team in 2021, smashing records and making his place in cricket history. Shahidi made a record-breaking 246 in a Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in December 2024, breaking the record for the highest individual Test score by an Afghan batsman.

Shahidi's captaincy has not been only about individual success but about building team strength as well. Under him, Afghanistan cricket has been the most developed associate nation in world cricket. They have been performing exceptionally in the white ball format, and they will surely be one of the finest test-playing nations in the future, with the kind of support staff they have and owing to their cricketing development.

8. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah's rise as one of the world's top cricketers has been exceptional. The pacer has also been a brilliant captain for India in the traditional format of the game. Jasprit Bumrah, who was formerly known for his lethal pace and precision, has evolved into a captain who leads with strategy as well as inspiration. Bumrah delivered an outstanding performance in 2024. He won the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year title after taking 71 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 14.92, leading the global rankings.

His leadership was prominently in evidence in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he took India to a stunning win in Perth, taking a five-wicket haul in the first innings and ending up with match figures of 8/72. He has captained India in 3 test matches with winning one and losing the other two. He was in contention for the next test captain for the Men in Blue after Rohit Sharma retired from the test. But as of the current developments, he has been out of the race.

7. Aiden Markram (South Africa)

Aiden Markram's rise to among the world's best test captains is a story of hard work, tactical genius, and exceptional leadership quality. Markram guided South Africa to a historic seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium while serving as stand-in captain during the team's tour in 2024. He also won the second test match with winning the series.

This ended South Africa's 10-game drought in the subcontinent, and it was their first Test win in 15 matches since 2014. He led South Africa to the final of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where the team had an impeccable record. His ability to create trust and confidence in a young and inexperienced team has been critical for the Rainbow Nation. He so far has a 100% record as a test captain, winning two out of two games.

6. Dhananjay de Silva (Sri Lanka)

Dhananjaya de Silva's rise to become one of the best Test captains in the world is a work of his determination, strategic brilliance, and inspiring leadership. Since taking over from Dimuth Karunaratne in January 2024, de Silva has revitalised Sri Lanka's Test squad, leading them through a time of transformation and remarkable success. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won a historic Test against England at The Oval in September 2024, their first on English soil in a decade.

It was the best moment for the middle-order batting as one of the "happiest moments" of his career, showcasing the significance of the win for both himself and the squad. In the first Test in Sylhet, he hit a century in both innings, making him the first Sri Lankan skipper to do so. His ability to inspire and bring out the best cricketing ability from his teammates makes him ranked as the 6th best Test captain in the world. So far, he has captained the side in 12 test matches and has a 50% win record.

5. Tom Latham (New Zealand)

Tom Latham's appointment as New Zealand's Test captain in late 2024 represented a historic moment in Kiwi cricket history. Following Tim Southee's retirement, Latham faced the daunting task of guiding a squad in transition. Nonetheless, under his calm and deliberate leadership, New Zealand completed a stunning 3-0 Test series sweep over India on their home turf, an unwanted record in Indian cricket history.

The win against the Men in Blue not only ended the home side's 12-year home series winning streak but also showcased Latham's strategic mindset. Despite the absence of important player Kane Williamson, Latham's faith in rising prospects such as Will Young, who amassed and won the Player of the Series award, proved crucial for the Kiwis. He created an amazing environment to inspire and bring out the 100% performances from his team, even in the face of adversity, which has made him rank as the 5th-best Test captain in the world.

4. Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith's comeback as Test captain is one of cricket's most fascinating redemption stories. Smith, who was sidelined following the 2018 ball-tampering controversy, has restored himself as a tactical maestro and batting genius in red ball format, and he reclaims as one of the world's top Test captains. Smith led Australia to a dominant 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in early 2025, marking the team's first Asian series whitewash in nearly two decades.

He led the side well in the absence of Pat Cummins, and his performance with the bat was outstanding, scoring hundreds in both Tests and becoming the first Australian to reach 200 Test catches. Smith's batting as captain is as impressive. With 16 centuries in 68 innings, he has a conversion rate of about 25%, surpassing legends such as Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli. Australia does not have to worry if Cummins is missing out, as they have one of the best test captains in the world.

3. Temba Bavuma (South Africa)

Temba Bavuma's rise to become the world's 3rd best Test captain showcases his dedication, analytical skill, and inspirational leadership. Since taking over as captain of South Africa's Test squad in February 2023, Bavuma has shown a stunning quality, leading the Proteas to new heights in the longest format of the game. South Africa has won eight and drawn one of nine Test matches under his captaincy, for a remarkable victory percentage of 88.88%.

This impressive record positions him alongside cricket icons Warwick Armstrong and Lindsay Hassett, both of whom won eight of their first nine Tests as leaders. Bavuma's leadership was crucial in South Africa securing their place in their maiden World Test Championship final, following a commanding 2-0 series whitewash against Pakistan. During the series against Sri Lanka, Bavuma became the first captain to score four 50-plus scores in a two-match Test series.

2. Ben Stokes (England)

Ben Stokes has transformed England's Test cricket environment, ranking himself as the 2nd best Test captain. Since taking over in 2022, Stokes has converted a weak team into a powerful force, implementing a bold and aggressive style known as "Bazball." England has accomplished great exploits during their captaincy, including a historic 3-0 series victory in Pakistan, their first in the country.

Stokes has a 70% win record in Test matches, second only to Australia's Steve Waugh among captains who have played at least 20 matches. His leadership has also seen England successfully chase targets of more than 250 runs five times, breaking the previous record held by MS Dhoni. His innings in the final test of the Ashes series will be one of the best knocks in 2019. His attacking cricket mindset has not only brought success but has also changed the playing style in the traditional format.

1. Pat Cummins (Australia)

Pat Cummins has established himself as the current best Test captain. He has led the Kangaroos to unmatched triumph in the ODI and test formats. Under his captaincy, Australia clinched the World Test Championship 2021-2023, the ODI World Cup 2023, and reclaimed the Ashes, achieving all this since he took on the captaincy in November 2021, showcasing his mastery as a leader across formats.

Cummins' leadership style is characterised by a calm and composed nature, resulting in a cohesive and focused cricketing environment. His ability to motivate via acts rather than words has been critical to Australia's rebirth in ODI and test format. Under his leadership, Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. Cummins' remarkable leadership has been recognised with various prizes in 2023, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and Wisden's Leading Cricketer.

List of the Top 10 Best Test Captains in the World