Over the years, the Indian cricket team has witnessed numerous captains, but only a handful have emerged as truly successful leaders. In this updated list, we rank the top 10 most successful Indian cricket team captains based on their match-winning or losing rates in Test, ODI, and T20 formats, along with special achievements like World Cups and other trophies.
Top 10 Most Successful Leaders in Indian Cricket
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni:
Widely regarded as the best captain in Indian cricket history, M.S. Dhoni led the team to numerous top-level victories, including an ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, and T20 World Cup. Known for his strategic brilliance and unique decisions on the field, Dhoni secured 27 Test wins out of 60, 101 ODI victories out of 181, and 26 T20 wins out of 48 matches during his captaincy.
2. Kapil Dev:
A legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev captained the Indian cricket team to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, solidifying his status as one of the greatest captains. Under his leadership, India won 4 out of 11 Test matches and 44 ODIs out of 72.
3. Sourav Ganguly:
Known as “Dada,” Sourav Ganguly was a talented and aggressive captain. Leading the Test team from 2000 to 2005 and the ODI team from 1999 to 2005, Ganguly secured 21 Test wins out of 49 and 76 ODI victories out of 146 during his captaincy.
4. Virat Kohli:
A modern-day cricket icon, Virat Kohli not only stands out as one of India’s richest cricketers but also as a successful captain. Currently leading the Test and limited-overs formats, Kohli has led India to victory in 26 Test matches out of 46, 50 ODIs out of 69, and 12 T20s out of 22.
5. Mohammad Azharuddin:
An accomplished batsman and captain during the 1990s, Mohammad Azharuddin led India to success in 99 ODIs out of 174 and 14 Test wins out of 47. His captaincy legacy remains intact as one of the most successful in Indian cricket history.
6. Rahul Dravid:
Known as “The Great Wall,” Rahul Dravid was a classical batsman and a successful captain. Leading the team in both Test and ODI formats, Dravid secured 8 Test wins out of 25 and 42 ODI victories out of 79.
7. Sachin Tendulkar:
Often regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Sachin Tendulkar also had a successful stint as captain. Under his leadership, India won 4 Test matches out of 13 and 23 ODIs out of 65.
8. Sunil Gavaskar:
A cricketing legend of the 1970s and 1980s, Sunil Gavaskar, captained India to 9 Test victories and 8 losses, with the majority of matches ending in draws (30).
9. Bishan Singh Bedi:
A prominent slow left-hand orthodox bowler, Bishan Singh Bedi captained India in 22 Test matches, adding to his legacy as one of the successful captains in Indian cricket history.
10. Virender Sehwag:
An aggressive right-hand opening batsman, Virender Sehwag, captained India to 42 Test wins out of 70, 133 ODI victories out of 236, and 11 T20 wins out of 17, showcasing his impact as a successful captain.
Conclusion:
This list reflects the contributions of these exceptional leaders to Indian cricket, showcasing their ability to inspire victories and leave a lasting legacy as successful team captains.