India’s Most Successful Captains in Cricket History (T20s/Tests/ODIs)
Talking about the game of cricket, India has given birth to many legends who are still admired by young cricketers today. From the small streets of the city to the big stadiums, cricket is a game that is known across the country. Every boy in our country has at least one dream of becoming a cricketer, even if they cannot become a cricketer, they contribute to the game by being its fan.
There are some players in our Indian cricket teams who are highly respected by everyone, whether they play for the World Cup or for T20, because they have earned a place in the hearts of their fans more than anyone else. These players are also known for their success in cricket history, especially in T20/Test/ODI.
And in this article, we will learn about some of those famous players, including their winning percentage, number of trophies won and their leadership influence on the team culture. The list given below combines all these factors to present you with a comprehensive view.
Cricket’s 10 Most Successful Indian Captains
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD)
One of the most famous personalities in cricket, also known as the “Cool Captain“, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India from 2007 to 2018, and led India to unprecedented success in limited-overs cricket. MSD glory goes beyond boundaries and he is known as a world-class wicketkeeper and of course, a reliable lower-order batsman who can turn the tide of a match. In the Indian Premier League, he led Chennai Super Kings to several titles as captain. He also holds the record for the most ODI wins as an Indian captain, with 110 wins in 200 matches, while he is also the only player in the world to have won all three major ICC limited-overs tournaments:
- 2007 ICC T20 World Cup
- 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
- 2013 ICC Champions Trophy
2. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is widely regarded as India’s greatest Test captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has won the most Test wins for India (40 in 68 matches). He is a man of aggression, fitness and an indomitable will to win, especially in overseas conditions. Because of this, India has won several historic Test series in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) and has achieved memorable victories in England and South Africa. His win percentage in Tests was 58.82%, which is the highest for any Indian captain. Because of this, India managed to reach the final of the first ICC World Test Championship in 2021. Along with this, India has also achieved a very high win percentage in ODIs.
3. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy during a crucial time for Indian cricket and is credited with instilling a new level of aggression and confidence in the players. His captaincy is remembered for significantly improving India’s performance abroad, including the famous Test series victory in Pakistan. Not only that, he led England to a dramatic victory in the 2002 NatWest series final. In Test matches, he has won a record 21 matches as captain. He also led India to the 2003 World Cup final with his fearless and sometimes combative captaincy style. He has always played a key role in reviving the Indian cricket team and instilling a fighting spirit in them to compete with the best teams in the world.
4. Kapil Dev
After winning the first World Cup for India in 1983, Kapil Dev cemented his place in cricket history forever. He was not a specialist in one thing, but he was a true all-rounder who led from the front with both bat and ball. He also had a strong winning percentage in ODIs with 39 wins in 74 matches. But despite all this, no one can forget his iconic 175* against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, which was a match-winning innings from uncertain conditions, it is still one of the best ODI innings ever. Kapil was the first captain to break the myth of the dominance of spinners in Indian cricket. In short, we can say that he created a legacy, where he made India’s first major international trophy, which is indeed the real symbol of Indian cricket.
5. Rohit Sharma
If we take a look at the current records, it would not be wrong to say that Rohit Sharma has won the most T20 International matches as a captain for India. By leading India to victory in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, he finally broke the country’s long-held dream of an ICC trophy. He is known for his high winning percentage in all formats, especially in T20Is. He is indeed a tactically astute and calm leader who often takes unconventional but effective decisions. He is currently leading the team in all three formats (T20Is, ODIs and Tests). He is also known for leading India to multiple Asia Cup titles and is one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League, having led Mumbai Indians to five titles.
6. Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin has led India in both Tests and ODIs on several occasions during the 1990s and has a strong winning record in ODIs with 90 wins in 174 matches. He is also a stylish and aggressive batsman, and several key players, including Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, emerged under his captaincy. He was India’s most capped captain for a long time, before he was known for his ability to inspire and get the best out of his teammates. He was a key figure in Indian cricket captaincy in the 1990s who paved the way for future successful captains.
7. Rahul Dravid
Apart from MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid was also one of those quiet leaders who is known for his methodical approach to the game. His captaincy helped India to 17 consecutive wins while chasing in ODIs. And he ensured India’s first Test series win in the West Indies in over 35 years and a Test series win in England. His leadership has always been focused on building a strong team spirit and selfless cricket. When it comes to T20, he has led India to many victories overseas in the early days of this format. His captaincy tenure was relatively short, but it had some notable achievements. A respected and admired captain who not only led with integrity but also laid the foundation for future successes.
8. Sunil Gavaskar
Another admirable captain who led India from 1976 to 1985, a period of transition for Indian cricket and had a strong Test record as captain, winning 9 out of 47 matches during an era of low results. Sunil Gavaskar was one of the most successful batsmen in the world during his captaincy, leading by example with both his technique and temperament. He is a highly respected figure in world cricket, as his captaincy was characterised by his integrity and honesty. He is regarded as a pioneer of Indian batting and a respected captain who helped shape the team into its most important era.
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