Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Record Against England in Tests
- ICE CRIC
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Leadership, Calmness, and Big Moments in a Classic Rivalry
Rohit Sharma, known for his elegance with the bat, has steadily grown into a calm and confident leader in Test cricket. While his leadership journey is still young compared to other long-standing captains, Rohit has already made a noticeable impact — especially in high-stakes series like those against England.
In this blog, let’s take a user-friendly look at Rohit Sharma’s captaincy record against England in Tests, exploring his wins, strategies, and standout moments.
The Beginning: 2021 Home Series
Although Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in India’s 3-1 win over England at home in 2021, he was not the official captain — that role was still held by Virat Kohli. However, Rohit’s performances with the bat and his growing presence in the leadership group hinted that a future captain was in the making.
He scored a brilliant 161 in Chennai, a knock that helped India level the series after losing the first Test. It was a classic Rohit innings — full of control, timing, and intent — and played a vital role in shifting the series momentum.
First Series as Test Captain vs England: 2022 Rescheduled 5th Test at Edgbaston
Result: England won by 7 wicketsCaptaincy Status: Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to COVID-19
Interestingly, when India returned to England in 2022 to complete the fifth Test (from the 2021 series), Rohit was set to lead the side as the new full-time Test captain. Unfortunately, he missed the match due to a positive COVID test, and Jasprit Bumrah captained India instead.
As a result, Rohit did not officially captain India in that match, though he was the designated leader of the series.
2024–25 Test Series at Home
Rohit finally led India in a full-fledged Test series against England in early 2024, a five-match series played in India.
Series Result: India won 4-1
Under Rohit’s captaincy, India bounced back from a surprising loss in the first Test to win four Tests on the trot. The series highlighted his calm leadership, smart field placements, and confidence in backing young players.
Highlights of Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy vs England (2024 Series)
Backing Youth: Rohit showed trust in youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a breakout series, and Sarfaraz Khan, who made impressive contributions. He handled debutants and new players with a calm, guiding hand.
Tactical Use of Bowlers: He rotated his spinners — Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav — expertly, often using short, sharp spells and attacking fields to pressure England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
Leading from the Front: Rohit scored a crucial 131 in Rajkot (3rd Test) to steady India’s batting after early wickets. It was a captain’s knock that turned the tide of the match.
Controlled Aggression: He didn’t get drawn into England’s attacking style of play but stayed true to India’s strengths — patient batting, spin dominance, and home advantage.
Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Record vs England in Tests (as of 2025)
Matches Captained: 5
Wins: 4
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
Win Percentage: 80%
What Makes Rohit’s Captaincy Style Stand Out?
Calm Under Pressure: Rarely flustered, even in tense moments.
Player Management: Gives confidence to youngsters and trusts experienced players.
Smart Tactics: Uses bowlers and field settings creatively, especially on Indian pitches.
Team-First Mindset: Doesn’t chase personal milestones; focuses on match situations.
Final Thoughts
Rohit Sharma may still be new to the Test captaincy role, but his performance against England in 2024 shows he’s more than capable of leading India with calmness and clarity. A 4-1 series win against a confident England side playing aggressive cricket is no small feat.
As he continues to evolve as a leader, fans can look forward to more smart strategies, balanced decision-making, and hopefully, more series wins under Rohit’s steady hand.
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