No.1 Captain in India

Who is the No 1 Captain in India? List of Most Successful Captains

Cricket, often hailed as a religion in India, has witnessed several iconic captains leading the national team. While opinions on who holds the title of "No.1 Captain in India" may vary, each of these captains has left their mark on Indian cricket. Their leadership styles and achievements have shaped how Team India approaches the game today.

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Most Successful Captains In Indian Cricket History (Test, ODI and T20I)

India has produced some of the most iconic and successful cricket captains in the world. Here are some of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history:

1. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar captained the Indian cricket team from 1976 to 1985. His leadership style was more focused on fostering a positive environment within the team. Gavaskar's win percentage as captain was 27%, leading India to victory in several international matches.

Sunil Gavaskar Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

47

9

8

30

19.14

ODI

37

14

21

2

37.83

Overall

84

23

29

32

27.38

2. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev led the Indian cricket team from 1982 to 1987 and is considered one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. He was the captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, which marked India's first World Cup victory. Kapil Dev's leadership style was characterized by his aggressive approach to the game and his ability to motivate his teammates.

Kapil Dev Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

34

4

7

22

11.76

ODI

74

39

33

2

52.70

Overall

108

43

29

24

39.81

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3. Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin led India from 1990 to 1999. At a time when Indian cricket was still finding its feet on the international stage, Azharuddin's leadership and ability to adapt to different conditions helped the team establish itself as a strong contender in world cricket.

Mohammad Azharuddin Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

47

14

14

19

29.78

ODI

174

90

76

2

51.72

Overall

221

104

90

21

47.05

Also read: India Next Match Schedule 2024: When and Where the Men in Blue Are Playing Next

4. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly led the Indian cricket team from 1999 to 2005. His fearless brand of cricket and ability to win games away from home made him a popular choice among fans. Ganguly has the second-best Indian captaincy record overseas and is considered one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history.

Sourav Ganguly Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

49

21

13

15

42.85

ODI

146

76

65

5

52.05

Overall

195

97

78

20

49.74

5. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid captained the Indian cricket team from 2000 to 2007. His leadership style was more focused on building a strong team spirit. Dravid was the captain during the miserable 2007 ODI World Cup campaign.

Rahul Dravid Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

25

8

6

11

32.00

ODI

79

42

33

4

53.16

Overall

104

50

39

15

48.07

6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD)

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in cricket history and best captain India has ever produced. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and numerous other international matches. Dhoni's calm and calculated approach to the game and his ability to read the situation of the match made him a formidable leader.

MS Dhoni Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

60

27

18

15

45.00

ODI

200

110

74

11

55.00

T20I

72

41

28

2

56.94

Overall

332

178

120

28

53.61

7. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the undisputed "King of Cricket," took over as the captain of the Indian cricket team in 2013 and led the team until he relinquished the position in 2022. Kohli's aggressive approach to the game and his ability to motivate his teammates made him a popular choice among fans. His win percentage in Test cricket was 58.82%, and he was the most successful captain in India by win percentage.

Virat Kohli Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

68

40

17

11

58.82

ODI

95

65

27

2

68.42

T20I

50

30

16

2

60.00

Overall

213

135

60

28

63.38

Also read: Best Batsman in the Cricket World

8. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma was an able deputy to Virat Kohli in limited-overs formats in international cricket, winning India two titles in Kohli's absence, and took over as captain in all formats in 2022. Despite initial reluctance to take up the captaincy, Rohit Sharma has proven himself a successful and influential leader in Indian cricket history.

Rohit Sharma Captaincy Record

Format

Matches Captained

Win

Loss

Draw/NR

% Win 

Test

9

5

2

2

55.55

ODI

44

34

9

1

77.27

T20I

51

39

12

0

76.47

Overall

104

78

23

3

75.00

Also read: Most Sixes in International Cricket 

Who is the No 1 captain in India?

In the vast realm of Indian cricket, selecting the No.1 captain is a subjective task. However, one name consistently emerges, garnering admiration for his leadership prowess, strategic understanding, and ability to inspire his team to great heights - Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

His unique leadership style sets him apart – a blend of aggression, tactical brilliance, and a deep understanding of his players. His ability to lead by example has earned him the respect of his team and cricket enthusiasts worldwide. From historic test wins on foreign soil to clinching major limited-overs tournaments, each triumph becomes a chapter in the saga of India's cricketing glory.

FAQ’s

Who is the most successful and famous captain?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (aka Captain Cool) is arguably the most famous and successful captain of India, given his calm attitude and numerous tournament victories including; 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly are also in the same category.

Is Virat Kohli the best captain?

Virat Kohli is known for his passionate, aggressive approach to the game and has a winning percentage of 58.82% in Test matches, making him India's most successful Test captain.

Which captain won all trophies?

MS Dhoni is the only captain in history to win all the trophies. India won the 2007 World T20, 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy under his captaincy.

Which captain has 3 ICC trophies?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won all 3 ICC trophies - the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Who is the current captain of the India Cricket Team?

Rohit Sharma is the current captain of the Indian Cricket Team in all the three formats. He took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli in 2022. Sharma is a right-handed batsman who is known for his aggressive and fearless style of play. He has a long and successful career in international cricket, and he is widely respected for his leadership abilities.

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