Indian captains vs West Indies results [Source: AFP]For Shubman Gill, India’s upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies brings a first that has been waiting to happen, his first assignment against the Caribbean side as national skipper. With the captaincy chapter already well underway, Gill now gets a fresh opposition to test his leadership skills before the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year.Before Shubman Gill, many Team India captains have tried and tested themselves against the West Indies, either in home ODIs or away or in multi-nation tournaments like World Cups or Champions Trophy events. Here is a list of all India captains and how they fared in their first bilateral ODI challenge against the West Indies cricket team.India captains in their first ODI series against West IndiesHere is a list of regular Indian captains who have led the national side in an ODI series against the West Indies cricket team so far.1. Kapil Dev – 1983Just a few weeks before the 1983 World Cup, a Kapil Dev-led Indian team toured West Indies for a three-match ODI series. The series also marked the first-ever bilateral ODI meeting between the two sides. Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, Team India won the high-scoring second ODI but lost the series 1-2.2. Ravi Shastri – 1988In an Indian Board Benevolent Fund Match against the West Indies in January 1988 in Ahmedabad, Ravi Shastri took over as Team India captain. Also Read- Gautam Gambhir Clears Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma Picture Before 2027 World CupHowever, India lost the one-off ODI match by a mere two runs, with Shastri going on to finish his captaincy stint with an underwhelming record overall. 3. Dilip Vengsarkar – 1989While Dilip Vengsarkar led the Indian cricket team against the West Indies for the first time in December 1987, the prolific top-order batter was forced to leave the series midway. It was in March 1989 when Vengsarkar led India in his first full series as captain against the West Indies in the Caribbean. However, the Indians lost the series 0-5.4. Mohammad Azharuddin – 1994Mohammad Azharuddin led Team India in its home five-match ODI series against the West Indies in October 1994. Under his guidance, India won the series 4-1 to record its first-ever bilateral ODI success against the ‘Men from the Caribbean’. 5. Sachin Tendulkar – 1997Sachin Tendulkar briefly took over Team India captaincy on a full-time basis from Mohammad Azharuddin, and led the national side in a four-match series in the West Indies in mid-1997.As evidenced by his underwhelming track record as India captain, the ‘Men in Blue’ lost the series to the hosts 1-3.6. Sourav Ganguly – 1999Under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, India took on West Indies in a three-match ODI series in Canada in 1999. Ushering in a new era for Indian cricket, Ganguly and co. clinched the series 2-1.7. Rahul Dravid – 2006Led by Rahul Dravid, India toured West Indies in May 2006 and played a five-match ODI series against the hosts. Despite winning the first match, India lost the series 1-4.Interestingly, while India’s 2006 series in the Caribbean was Dravid’s first as captain against the West Indies, the legendary batter had previously led the team for a few matches on an interim basis in 2002 when Sourav Ganguly served as full-time skipper.8. MS Dhoni – 2009Fresh from his T20 World Cup-winning and CB tri-series success, MS Dhoni led a strong Indian team to a 2-1 series win over West Indies in the Caribbean in 2009. 9. Virat Kohli – 2017Virat Kohli took over as India captain after MS Dhoni stepped down from the role in 2017. Under his leadership, India secured a comprehensive 3-1 ODI series win in the West Indies later that same year. 10. Rohit Sharma – 2022Rohit Sharma held an impeccable record as India’s ODI captain. In his first bilateral attempt against the West Indies, he led the team to an emphatic 3-0 series win at home in February 2022.Azharuddin, Rohit Sharma only Indian captains to beat WI at home on first attemptAmong all 10 regular captains who have led India in an ODI series against the West Indies, only Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Azharuddin and Ravi Shastri have captained the team at home while facing them for the first time. While Shastri’s India lost its one-off match in Ahmedabad, Rohit Sharma (2022) and Azharuddin (1994) are the only two Indian cricketers who have defeated West Indies in a series on their first attempt as captain.Also Read- VVS Laxman At Loggerheads With Gambhir, Shubman Gill Over This India StarShubman Gill now has the opportunity to replicate Sharma and Azharuddin in a bid to become only the third Indian skipper to beat West Indies in a home series on his first attempt.Interim Indian captains on their first attempt against the West IndiesApart from the 10 regular skippers, several other Indian cricketers have also taken up national captaincy against the West Indies on an interim basis.During MS Dhoni's era, Suresh Raina and Virender Sehwag led Team India in two different ODI series in the same year in 2011. Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, covered for Rohit Sharma in 2022 and 2023. Here is how India’s interim captains have fared against the West Indies in an ODI series on their first attempt. 1. Suresh Raina – 2011Shortly after lifting the 2011 World Cup, Suresh Raina led an Indian group on a five-match ODI expedition in the West Indies in June. Under his leadership, India won the series 3-2.2. Virender Sehwag – 2011Later that year, Virender Sehwag commanded Indian captaincy against the West Indies at home for a five-match series as a replacement for MS Dhoni. With Gautam Gambhir also leading the side in one match, India won the series 4-1.3. Shikhar Dhawan – 2022Shikhar Dhawan led the Indian team in their three-match ODI series in the West Indies in July 2022. Covering for Rohit Sharma, Dhawan’s Team India won their away series 3-0.4. Hardik Pandya – 2023The following year, regular skipper Rohit Sharma led India in the first ODI of their three-match away series against the West Indies in July 2023.However, Hardik Pandya took over as captain for the remaining two ODIs, and swiftly secured a 2-1 win for the visitors.In short, Team India is yet to lose a single ODI series against the West Indies, either home or away, whenever an interim captain has taken charge.Also Read- Where Do West Indies Rank Among Worst ODI Teams vs India Since 2000?
