Gill loses sixth successive toss in Tests, registers unwanted record
What's the story
Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, has now lost six consecutive tosses in the longest format. The streak has put him on an unwanted list, surpassing former Indian captain Kapil Dev. Gill lost all five tosses during the England tour. He has now lost another one in the Test series opener West Indies in Ahmedabad, where Roston Chase won the toss and opted to bat first.
Record tied
Gill equals Latham's record, surpasses Kapil Dev
As per Cricbuzz, Gill has now matched New Zealand player Tom Latham's record of losing six consecutive tosses at the start of his captaincy stint. This is an unwanted milestone as he has surpassed Kapil Dev, who lost his first five tosses at the start of his Test captaincy era in 1983. The record for most consecutive toss losses at the start of a player's Test captaincy reign is held by New Zealand's Ben Congdon with seven.
Ongoing struggle
India's toss troubles in 2025
India's toss troubles have continued into 2025, with the team losing 15 consecutive tosses before the T20 Asia Cup. The streak, which began during the home series against England earlier this year, included two T20Is, eight ODIs, and five Test matches. However, Suryakumar Yadav ended this unfortunate streak by winning the toss against UAE in India's Asia Cup 2025 opener.
Home challenge
WTC points at stake for India
As Gill leads India for the first time at home against a depleted West Indies side, he knows that crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points are at stake. India are currently third behind Australia and Sri Lanka. The team has prepared a red-soil pitch with a generous covering of grass, which allows them to attack their opponents with both pace and spin.