Top 10 most successful captains in IPL

From Dhoni to Sharma, here is the list of the most successful and match-winning captains in the IPL.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen hundreds of great players and dozens of teams participate since 2008, but only some teams have experienced the glory of lifting the prestigious trophy. Most IPL franchise owners spend hefty amounts of money on acquiring star players and stacking their teams with the best cricketers from across the globe.

However, we have seen time and again that the franchise struggled or even past IPL winners suffered, as they didn’t have a good leader to captain the side. The captain of a cricket team is the most important member of the whole squad.

His role becomes even more crucial when a team is going through a rough patch. A great leader can change the dynamics of a team and can add strengths as well as negate weaknesses. A leader can bring the best out of any player at anytime.

The hard work, strategies, clever planning and skillful decisions are what win games and that’s precisely the job of the captain.

Let’s take a glance at the top 10 list of the most successful captains in the IPL history

10. Shreyas Iyer – 28 wins

Star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer led the IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals). Iyer took over the captaincy of the Daredevils midway through the season in 2018. He was retained as a skipper for the 2019 edition, leading the Delhi-based franchise to their first playoffs appearance in seven years.

In IPL 2020, Iyer captained the side and took them to the final but couldn’t win the title. In 56 matches as skipper, Iyer has won 28 games and lost 26, with a win percentage of 50.90%. He is all set to don the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) jersey as skipper in IPL 2024.

9. Virender Sehwag – 28 wins

The Nawab of Najafgarh makes it to the elite list with 28 wins and 24 defeats out of 53 matches. The legendary batter Virender Sehwag, who used to open the innings for Delhi Daredevils and then for Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) in the IPL, was a great leader for both franchises.

8. Shane Warne – 30 wins

The legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne led an inexperienced, young side of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2008 season.

However, after losing the first four games in a row, Warne’s Royals bounced back to be the maiden IPL champions. The former Australian player was victorious 30 times and on the losing side on 24 occasions.

7. Sachin Tendulkar – 30 wins

Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar showcased his talent in the IPL with his leadership qualities for the Mumbai Indians franchise.

Players like Harbhajan Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard and Aditya Tare flourished under his leadership. Tendulkar got 30 wins out of 51 matches, with 21 defeats to his name.

6. Adam Gilchrist – 35 wins

The great wicket-keeper was a very good captain who knew how to lift the side and bring the best out of every player in crunch situations. Apart from batting, Adam Gilchrist took on the leadership responsibilities of two IPL franchises, i.e., the Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab.

His approach as a leader was very simple and his never-give-up attitude made him one of the best IPL captains of all-time. The Deccan Chargers emerged as champions under his captaincy in 2009 after having a terrible season in 2008, where they finished in eighth place. “Gilly” had 35 victories and 39 losses in 74 matches as captain.

5. David Warner – 40 wins

Veteran Australian batter David Warner has led two IPL teams. During his first stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he was known for his aggressive leadership and also led them to an IPL title. He consistently propelled his team to the playoffs before he was dropped by the Hyderabad-based franchise.

However, he couldn’t replicate his success with the Delhi franchise, as they couldn’t win any titles throughout his leadership days. With a win percentage of 49.39%, Warner won 40 games and lost 41 in 83 matches as a skipper.

4. Virat Kohli – 66 wins

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli was known for his aggressive style of leadership for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

While he has been one of the consistent performers for the Bengaluru-based franchise with the bat, Kohli was also a proven leader. With a win percentage of 48.56%, he emerged victorious in 66 matches while losing 70 in 143 outings.

3. Gautam Gambhir – 71 wins

The 2007 ICC World T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning player Gautam Gambhir led two franchises in the cash-rich league. Gambhir first took on the leadership responsibilities of the Delhi Daredevils, but didn’t win any titles with them. However, when he took on the captaincy of the KKR franchise, he won two championships with them in 2012 and 2014.

He played a crucial role in both of KKR’s title-winning campaigns. His captaincy stint with KKR was marked by accurate tactics and the ability to bring out the best in his team. Gambhir was also a very aggressive skipper. The great player had 71 wins and 57 losses in 129 matches, with a win percentage of 55.42%.

2. Rohit Sharma – 87 wins

One of the greatest captains of all-time Rohit Sharma, led the Mumbai Indians to a record five IPL championships in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Known for his aggressive batting approach, Sharma’s aggressive captaincy and handling the crucial moments during an IPL match with calmness have helped him lead his team to many victories. In his 158 matches as skipper, Sharma won 87 games and lost 67, for a win percentage of 56.32%. 

1. MS Dhoni – 133 wins

Legendary Indian player MS Dhoni, who is often hailed as ‘Captain Cool,’ is undoubtedly the most successful leader in IPL history. The former Indian skipper led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in the cash-rich league. Dhoni’s leadership qualities have been marked by strategic brilliance and the ability to bring the best out of the team.

His biggest strength is maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. Dhoni has won three IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023, establishing him as one of the greatest skippers of all-time. MSD notched 113 victories and 91 losses in 236 matches, with a win percentage of 59.37%.

(All stats are updated till 27th March 2024)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.