India have set a unique yet unwanted record in men’s international cricket — losing the most consecutive tosses ever recorded across formats. What started as a minor streak under Rohit Sharma in late 2023 has now turned into a 20-match saga of bad luck, continuing under Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill.
While tosses are often seen as 50-50 chances, India’s streak has defied all odds — the probability of losing 20 tosses in a row stands at just 1 in 1,048,576 (0.000095%).
Most Consecutive Toss Losses (Men’s International Cricket)
| Rank | Team | Consecutive Tosses Lost | Duration | Captains Involved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 20 | Nov 2023 – Oct 2025 | Rohit, Surya, Gill |
| 2 | West Indies | 12 | 1999 | Lara, Adams, Hooper |
| 3 | England | 11 | 2022–2023 | Buttler, Stokes |
| 4 | Netherlands | 11 | 2011–2013 | Peter Borren |
| 5 | New Zealand | 10 | 1972–1973 | Bevan Congdon |
India’s Staggering Toss-Loss Streak
The run began in November 2023, when India lost the toss in the ICC World Cup final. Since then, every international format — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — has seen the Men in Blue on the wrong side of the coin.
- The streak crossed 13 losses by July 2025 during the England Test series.
- It hit 15 losses by the end of the Oval Test on July 31, 2025.
- It reached a record-breaking 18 consecutive toss defeats by October 25, 2025, in the 3rd ODI vs Australia at Sydney.
- Then, with Australia winning the toss in both 1st T20I (Oct 29) and 2nd T20I (Oct 31) under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, the streak extended to 20 matches in a row.
Despite this strange streak, India have continued to perform well, even winning matches after losing the toss — proving that resilience and strategy can outweigh luck.
Captains Involved in the Toss-Loss Record
Three different captains have been part of this historic sequence:
| Captain | Matches Involved | Formats | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 9 | ODIs & T20Is | Nov 2023 – Mar 2025 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 5 | T20Is | Jan – Oct 2025 |
| Shubman Gill | 6 | Tests & ODIs | Jul – Oct 2025 |
Rohit Sharma began the streak, losing multiple tosses in the Champions Trophy 2025. Suryakumar Yadav then failed to end the curse during the England and Australia T20I series. Shubman Gill’s early tenure as captain also added to the tally — taking India’s streak to an unprecedented 20 consecutive toss defeats.
Teams with the Most Consecutive Toss Losses in Men’s ODIs
| Rank | Team | Consecutive Tosses Lost | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 20 (World Record) | Nov 2023 – Oct 2025 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 11 | Mar 2011 – Aug 2013 |
| 3 | England | 9 | 2023, 2017 |
| 4 | USA | 9 | 2022 |
| 5 | West Indies | 9 | 2011–2012 |
India’s streak is now nine more than the previous record held by the Netherlands — an enormous statistical anomaly in cricket’s history books.
Captains with the Most Consecutive Toss Losses (Men’s ODIs)
| Rank | Captain | Tosses Lost | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (IND) | 15 | Nov 2023 | Mar 2025 |
| 2 | Brian Lara (WI) | 12 | Oct 1998 | May 1999 |
| 3 | Peter Borren (NED) | 11 | Mar 2011 | Aug 2013 |
| 4 | Jos Buttler (ENG) | 9 | Jan 2023 | Sep 2023 |
| 5 | Monank Patel (USA) | 9 | May 2022 | Aug 2022 |
Rohit Sharma still leads this rare list, surpassing Brian Lara’s long-standing record of 12 toss losses — and the team as a whole has now doubled that total under multiple captains.
Read Also:- Rohit Sharma Captaincy Record
How Rare Is This Streak?
Statistically, the odds of losing 20 tosses in a row (each being a 50% probability) are 1 in 1,048,576 — that’s like flipping a coin 20 times and getting tails every single time!
This highlights how extraordinarily improbable this sequence is, even in the world of sporting randomness.
Has the Toss Impacted India’s Performance?
Interestingly, despite this streak, India’s on-field performance hasn’t mirrored their toss misfortune.
- India won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy despite losing every toss.
- They have clinched multiple ODI and T20I series while bowling first.
- The team’s balance in batting depth and versatile spin attack has helped overcome the disadvantage.
“We would have bowled first anyway. Maybe luck isn’t with us at the toss, but it’s there in our cricket.”
Other Notable Team Streaks in International Cricket
| Team | Consecutive Tosses Lost | Period | Captains |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 12 | Feb – Apr 1999 | Brian Lara, Jimmy Adams |
| England | 11 | Dec 2022 – Mar 2023 | Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes |
| New Zealand | 10 | 1972 – 1973 | Bevan Congdon |
| Vanuatu | 10 | Jul 2023 – Aug 2024 | Joshua Rasu, Ronald Tari |
While these streaks were notable, none come close to India’s ongoing record.
Read Also:- Super Over Rules in Cricket: History, Rules
Conclusion
India’s streak of 20 consecutive toss losses stands as one of cricket’s strangest records — a mix of bad luck and coincidence. Yet, their consistent performances despite this disadvantage show incredible focus and adaptability.
Fans may joke about the “toss curse,” but it’s proof that winning a toss doesn’t decide the match — attitude and skill do. Even if luck refuses to flip, India’s cricketing dominance surely does.
India’s toss misfortune has now become a part of cricket trivia folklore — a record unlikely to be matched anytime soon. And as they head into the next T20I, all eyes will again be on that small silver coin.
