India’s Most Successful Captains in Cricket History (T20s/Tests/ODIs)

By: Vision11 | August 12, 2025 | Leave a Comment

When it comes to the game of Cricket, India has borne many legends that are even admired today by the young cricketers. From a small street of a city to the large stadium, cricket is a sport that is well-known throughout the country. Every boy in our country has at least one dream of being a cricketer, even if they couldn’t become that they still contribute to the game by being its fans.

There are some players in our Indian cricket teams who are greatly respected by everyone whether they play for world cup or T20s, because they’ve made a place in the hearts of their fans like no other. These players are also known for their success in cricket history, especially in T20s/Tests/ODIs.

And in this article we are going to know about some of those well-known players, including their win percentage, number of trophies won, and the impact of their leadership on the team’s culture. The list given below combines all these factors to present you a comprehensive view.

Cricket’s 10 Most Successful Indian Captains

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD)

One of the most famous personalities of cricket, also known as the “Cool Captain” has led India from 2007 to 2018, and has given India a period of unprecedented success in limited-overs cricket. His glory is beyond the boundaries and called the world-class wicket-keeper and of course, a reliable lower-order batsman who could turn the tide of a match. In the Indian Premier League, he as a captain led the Chennai Super Kings to multiple titles. He also holds the record for most ODI wins as an Indian captain, with 110 victories in 200 matches while also being the only one in the world who has 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

Next to Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the Kohli who is widely regarded as India’s greatest-ever Test captain, with the most Test wins for India (40 in 68 matches). He is a man with a culture of aggression, fitness, and an unwavering desire to win, particularly in overseas conditions. It has led India to many historic Test series wins in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) and memorable victories in England and South Africa. He had an amazing win percentage of 58.82% in Tests, which is the highest for any Indian captain. Because of him India was able to reached the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021. With him India has achieved a very high win percentage in ODIs as well.

3. Sourav Ganguly

Took over captaincy during a crucial time for Indian cricket and is credited with instilling a new level of aggression as well as self-belief among the players. His captaincy is remembered for a significant improvement of India in overseas performance, including a famous Test series victory in Pakistan. Not only that it has also led India to a dramatic victory in the 2002 NatWest Series final against England. In test matches he has won 21 matches as a captain and formed a record. He has even led India to the 2003 World Cup final with his fearless and sometimes confrontational style of captaincy. He has always played a main role in reviving the Indian cricket team and instilling a fighting spirit in them to compete with the best in the world.

4. Kapil Dev

With the winning of the first world cup for India in 1983, he cemented his place in history in cricket forever. He was not a specialist at one thing but rather he was a genuine all-rounder, leading from the front with both bat and ball. He also had a solid win percentage in ODIs, with 39 wins in 74 matches. But even with all this no one can forget his iconic 175* against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, which was a match-winning knock from a precarious position, still remains one of the greatest ODI innings ever. Kapil was the first ever captain to shatter the stereotype of Indian cricket as being dominated by spinners. In short, we can say he formed a legacy, where he built India’s first major international trophy, truly a true icon of Indian cricket.

5. Rohit Sharma

If we take a look at the current records, it is not wrong to say that Rohit Sharma has the most wins as a captain in T20 Internationals for India. By leading India to victory in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, he finally broke the country’s long ICC trophy dream. Known for his high win percentage across formats, especially in T20Is. He is really a tactically astute and calm leader who often makes unconventional but effective decisions. Currently he is captaining the team in all three formats (T20I, ODI, and Tests). He is also known to lead India to multiple Asia Cup titles and is also one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League, leading Mumbai Indians to five titles.

Continue Reading: Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: Who is Better? Batting & Captaincy Comparison

6. Mohammad Azharuddin

He has led India in a significant number of matches across both Tests and ODIs during the 1990s and had a strong win record in ODIs, with 90 victories in 174 matches. He is also a stylish and aggressive batsman,and his captaincy saw the emergence of several key players, including Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. He was India’s most capped captain for a long time before being surpassed and known for his ability to inspire teammates and get the best out of them. A key figure in Indian cricket captain in the 1990s who have paved the way for upcoming successful future captains.

7. Rahul Dravid

Other than M.S Dhoni, Rahul was also one of those calm leaders who is known for his methodical approach to the game. His captaincy helped India to record a 17 consecutive victories while also chasing in ODIs. And it has secured India’s first Test series victory in the West Indies in over 35 years and also a Test series win in England.His leadership was always focused on building a strong team spirit and selfless cricket. When it comes to T20s, he has led India to a number of overseas victories during the early days of the format. Even though his captaincy tenure was relatively short, it was still marked by some significant achievements. A respected and admired captain who not only led with integrity but also laid the groundwork for future successes.

8. Sunil Gavaskar

Another admirable captain who captained India from 1976 to 1985, a period of transition for Indian cricket and had a solid Test record as captain, securing 9 wins in 47 matches during an era of fewer results. He was one of the most prolific 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 characterized by his honesty and integrity. He is recognized as a pioneer of Indian batting and a respected captain who helped shape the team in its most crucial era.

9. Ajit Wadekar

Led India to its first-ever Test series victories in the West Indies and England in the year 1971 and was known as a visionary captain who believed India could win overseas. With a win percentage of 50% in Tests during his tenure, he did a remarkable feat for the time. His victories broke a long-standing psychological barrier for the Indian team, showing them they could also compete with the best outside of home. His influence was not just on remaining on the field but also off it, as he was a well-respected figure in the dressing room. Left his image as a stylish left-handed batsman who led from the front with his batting.

10. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Known as the youngest captain of India at the age of 21, his captaincy for 1962 to 1975 played as a major transformation for the Indian cricket team. A bold and aggressive leader who changed the mindset of the team from just playing for a draw to playing for a win. He gave importance to fielding which was a neglected aspect of Indian cricket at the time. His leadership not only symbolized a new, confident and modern India but also an India filled with players filled with courage and pride.

Conclusion

Because of captains like these our India is now known throughout the whole world and has made a name for itself in the history of cricket. From the younger to the oldest players all respect these captains who help in making our Indian team better and courageous.

And with our history like this it is no wonder that our upcoming captains will shine even more brilliantly than them and make our country a proud one!