Which Captain has the Longest Streak of losing tosses in Cricket? Shubman Gill Joins Infamous List with Toss Streak
The coin toss in cricket might seem trivial, but for some captains, it becomes a tale of frustration, pressure, and bizarre luck. While the toss has no bearing on skill, it can heavily impact strategy.
Over the years, a few captains have found themselves cursed with losing streaks that even stats experts find hard to explain.
Shubman Gill Loses All 5 Tosses in England Test Series
In the recent five-Test series against England, Shubman Gill lost all five tosses. Every single match began with England calling correctly, leaving India at a strategic disadvantage right from the start.
This is only the 14th time in Test history that a captain has lost all five tosses in a series. For Gill, who is still fresh into his leadership role, it was a streak that fans couldn’t ignore. India has now lost 15 tosses in a row across formats, and Gill’s 0/5 streak in a marquee Test series has quickly entered the record books.
Statistically, the chances of losing five straight tosses are just 1 in 32, and losing 15 in a row across formats is an astronomical 1 in 32,768.
Who Else Holds the Toss Loss Record?
Nasser Hussain – Test Cricket’s Toss-Loss King
Former England captain Nasser Hussain lost 10 consecutive tosses in Test matches between October 2000 and January 2002. It’s the longest known streak in Test cricket history. Hussain himself once joked that he was better off letting someone else flip the coin.
Brian Lara – ODI Misfortune
West Indies great Brian Lara holds the record for most consecutive tosses lost in One Day Internationals with 12. That streak ran from October 1998 to May 1999 and made headlines globally at the time.
Rohit Sharma – Joins Lara in the ODI Record
Recently, India’s Rohit Sharma matched Lara’s record, also losing 12 ODI tosses in a row between 2023 and 2025. His name now sits at the top of this unfortunate leaderboard in ODI cricket.
Toss Losses: Key Records
| Captain | Format | Tosses Lost | Time Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasser Hussain | Test | 10 | Oct 2000 – Jan 2002 |
| Brian Lara | ODI | 12 | Oct 1998 – May 1999 |
| Rohit Sharma | ODI | 12 | Nov 2023 – Mar 2025 |
| Shubman Gill | Test | 5 (in 1 series) | July 2025 |
Does Toss Really Matter in Cricket?
Yes, especially in Test cricket and day-night matches. Winning the toss allows teams to choose when to bat or bowl based on pitch, weather, and match conditions. In tight series or big tournaments, that decision can significantly impact momentum, scoring pressure, and even the match outcome.
For Gill, losing five tosses in a high-stakes Test series not only gave England first use of favorable conditions but also impacted India’s game planning from the start of every match.
Shubman Gill now finds himself in an awkward club alongside legends like Brian Lara, Rohit Sharma, and Nasser Hussain. While toss luck doesn’t define a captain’s legacy, it sure tests their patience. These streaks remind us that in cricket, sometimes even the coin refuses to flip your way.
FAQs
Who has lost the most consecutive tosses in Test cricket?
Nasser Hussain holds the record with 10 toss losses in a row during his England captaincy.
Has Shubman Gill set a toss record?
Yes, he lost all 5 tosses in a five-match Test series, becoming the latest captain to suffer a full-series toss loss.
Is Rohit Sharma also on the list?
Yes, Rohit Sharma lost 12 consecutive ODI tosses between 2023 and 2025, tying the record set by Brian Lara.
