The Indian Cricket Team has experienced numerous highs and lows in its history, with many players taking on the role of captain, each with varying degrees of success.
Throughout the years, India has had captains with diverse leadership styles—some have thrived and led the team to great victories, while others have faced challenges in the position.
5. Sourav Ganguly – 97 Wins
Sourav Ganguly is renowned for revolutionizing Indian cricket in the early 2000s. Under his leadership, India secured 97 wins in 195 international matches, with a win-loss ratio of 1.243. Ganguly captained India to iconic victories, including the 2002 NatWest Trophy in England and the remarkable 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win against Australia at home in 2001. However, his captaincy ended on a heartbreaking note, with India’s loss to Australia in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup final by 125 runs.
4. Rohit Sharma – 98 Wins
Rohit Sharma has led India to 98 wins in 138 matches, boasting a win-loss ratio of 2.939. Appointed full-time captain in 2022, Rohit has been particularly successful in limited-overs formats. Under his leadership, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and claimed victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite his successes, Rohit’s test captaincy has faced criticism, especially after India’s series losses to New Zealand and Australia in 2024/25, with his defensive approach being questioned.
3. Mohammad Azharuddin – 104 Wins
Mohammad Azharuddin captained India in three separate 50-over World Cups (1992, 1996, and 1999), a record unmatched by any other Indian skipper. Azharuddin led India to 104 victories and 90 losses in 221 matches, with a win-loss ratio of 1.155. His tenure as captain was marred by the 2000 match-fixing scandal, which severely damaged his legacy and ended his international career prematurely.
2. Virat Kohli – 135 Wins
Virat Kohli’s leadership often gets overshadowed by India’s defeats in ICC tournament knockout stages. Kohli captained India in 213 matches, with 135 wins and 60 losses. He is India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 victories in 68 matches. Kohli’s leadership saw India secure three consecutive ICC Test Mace rankings (2017, 2018, 2019), and he also led India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19.
1. MS Dhoni – 178 Wins
MS Dhoni is India’s most successful captain, with 178 wins in 332 international matches across formats, yielding a win-loss ratio of 1.483. He is the only Indian captain to win the ICC 50-over World Cup (2011), T20 World Cup (2007), and Champions Trophy (2013). Dhoni’s leadership in white-ball cricket is unparalleled, earning him a place as one of the greatest captains in the history of the sport.