Cricket is not just a game in India—it is a passion shared by over a billion fans. Over the years, India has produced several cricketing legends who not only mesmerized fans with their performances but also led the national team with grit and determination. While being a good player is one thing, leading a cricket team, especially a team like India, is a different challenge altogether.

Being the captain of the Indian cricket team comes with immense responsibility, pressure, and expectations. Not every great player can become a great leader, but some have managed to achieve greatness in both roles. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Most Successful Indian Captains of All Time, across all formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

✦ 5. Rohit Sharma – The Calm Strategist

Rohit Sharma’s rise as a full-time Indian captain came in 2022 after Virat Kohli stepped down. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp cricketing mind, Rohit has led India to several crucial victories across formats. He guided India to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the World Test Championship 2021-23, and semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Under his captaincy, India also clinched the Asia Cup twice and had a drawn Test series in South Africa.

Captaincy Record:

• Tests: 24 Matches | 12 Wins | 10 Losses | 2 Draws | Win %: 50.00

• ODIs: 56 Matches | 42 Wins | 12 Losses | Win %: 77.27

• T20Is: 62 Matches | 49 Wins | 12 Losses | Win %: 79.03

• Overall Win %: 70.89

✦ 4. Kapil Dev – The World Cup Trailblazer

Kapil Dev will always be remembered for leading India to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983. At just 24, Kapil’s inspirational leadership turned a group of underdogs into world champions. He led India from 1982 to 1987, making the team believe in themselves and giving birth to a cricketing revolution in the country.

Captaincy Record:

• Tests: 34 Matches | 4 Wins | 7 Losses | 22 Draws | Win %: 11.76

• ODIs: 74 Matches | 39 Wins | 33 Losses | Win %: 52.70

• Overall Win %: 39.81

✦ 3. Sourav Ganguly – The Fearless Leader

Known as "Dada," Sourav Ganguly was the captain who changed the mindset of Indian cricket. Taking over after the match-fixing scandal, Ganguly backed young players like Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Virender Sehwag and rebuilt the team.

He led India to the 2003 World Cup Final, shared the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka, and recorded memorable overseas wins, including India’s first Test series win in Pakistan (2004).

Captaincy Record:

• Tests: 49 Matches | 21 Wins | 13 Losses | 15 Draws | Win %: 42.85

• ODIs: 146 Matches | 76 Wins | 65 Losses | Win %: 52.05

• Overall Win %: 49.74

✦ 2. Virat Kohli – The Aggressive Game-Changer

Virat Kohli brought intensity and fitness culture into Indian cricket. As a captain, he was aggressive, passionate, and results-driven. Kohli led India to historic Test series wins in Australia, a first-ever ODI series win in South Africa, and dominance at home in Tests.

He captained India to the 2017 Champions Trophy Final, 2019 World Cup semi-final, and the WTC Final 2019-21. Under his leadership, India became a powerhouse in world cricket.

Captaincy Record:

• Tests: 68 Matches | 40 Wins | 17 Losses | 11 Draws | Win %: 58.82

• ODIs: 95 Matches | 65 Wins | 27 Losses | Win %: 68.40

• T20Is: 50 Matches | 30 Wins | 16 Losses | Win %: 60.00

• Overall Win %: 63.38

✦ 1. MS Dhoni – The Captain Cool

No list of India’s greatest captains is complete without Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Calm, calculated, and composed, Dhoni led India to all three major ICC titles:

• 2007 T20 World Cup

• 2011 ODI World Cup

• 2013 Champions Trophy

His strategic brilliance, match awareness, and ability to finish games made him a legend. Dhoni captained India for nearly a decade and groomed future leaders like Kohli and Rohit.

Captaincy Record:

• Tests: 60 Matches | 27 Wins | 18 Losses | 15 Draws | Win %: 45.00

• ODIs: 200 Matches | 110 Wins | 74 Losses | Win %: 55.00

• T20Is: 72 Matches | 41 Wins | 28 Losses | Win %: 56.94

• Overall Win %: 53.61

Indian Captains with the Best Records by Format

Most Successful Test Captains:

• Virat Kohli – 40 Wins in 68 Matches (58.82%)

• Rohit Sharma – 12 Wins in 24 Matches (50.00%)

Most Successful ODI Captains:

• Rohit Sharma – 42 Wins in 56 Matches (77.27%)

• Virat Kohli – 65 Wins in 95 Matches (68.40%)

Most Successful T20I Captains:

• Rohit Sharma – 49 Wins in 62 Matches (79.03%)

• Hardik Pandya – 77.27% Win Rate (11 Matches)

Final Thoughts

Indian cricket has been blessed with exceptional leaders who have carried the hopes of a billion fans. While some like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli ruled with consistency and calmness, others like Sourav Ganguly and Kapil Dev brought fearless change.

As of 2025, Rohit Sharma continues to lead the Indian side with great promise. It remains to be seen whether a new captain will rise to match or even surpass the legacy of the greats who came before.

FAQs

Who is the No. 1 captain in India? MS Dhoni is widely regarded as the most successful Indian captain, having won all three major ICC trophies.

Who is the most successful Indian T20I captain? Rohit Sharma with a win percentage of 79.03% in 62 matches.

Who is the current ODI captain of India? Rohit Sharma is currently leading the Indian ODI team as of 2025.

Who has the best win percentage as Indian Test captain? Rohit Sharma currently has the best Test win rate (50%) among active players, but Virat Kohli holds the record for most Test wins (40).