India has been fortunate to have some of the best cricket captains in the world, especially in ODIs. From Kapil Dev’s heroics in 1983 to Rohit Sharma’s dominance in recent years, Indian cricket has seen leaders with different styles and strategies. While some captains won ICC trophies, others maintained remarkable consistency.
List of 10 Greatest Indian ODI Captains of All Time
10. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing the Greatest Indian ODI Captains, but his statistics tell a different story. The left-handed batsman captained India in six ODIs when MS Dhoni was unavailable in 2010 and 2011.
Despite his short captaincy stint, Gambhir led India to an impressive 5-0 series victory against New Zealand and also won a game against West Indies in 2011. Additionally, he performed brilliantly with the bat, averaging 90 as captain. His 100% win record makes him one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains, even if his tenure was brief.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 0 |
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9. Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja is another surprising name among the Greatest Indian ODI Captains. Known for his aggressive finishing ability, Jadeja led India in 13 ODIs between 1998 and 1999.
Under his leadership, India finished as runners-up in multiple tri-series. He ended his captaincy career with a solid 8-5 win-loss record. As a leader, he also contributed significantly with the bat, averaging 44 with two centuries, proving that he was an effective ODI captain.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 61.53% | 0 |
8. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s batting legends, had a mixed record as an ODI captain. He led India in 37 ODIs, winning only 14 matches. However, his biggest achievement was leading India to victory in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia, a historic moment in Indian cricket.
Though his overall win percentage wasn’t high, this triumph ensured his place among the Greatest Indian ODI Captains. His leadership and cricketing experience helped India perform well in tough overseas conditions.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 14 | 21 | 2 | 40% | 1 |
7. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was a calm and composed leader, making him one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains. He led India in ODIs between 2005 and 2007 and helped transform the team into one of the best chasers in world cricket.
However, his captaincy tenure had its downsides, including India’s early exit from the 2007 World Cup and a poor performance in the 2006 Champions Trophy. Despite this, he averaged over 42 as captain and was instrumental in India’s victories overseas.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 42 | 33 | 4 | 56% | 0 |
6. Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin was one of India’s most experienced captains, leading the team for almost a decade in ODIs. He captained India in three World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999), reaching the semifinals in 1996.
Even though India lacked superstar players during his era, Azharuddin’s leadership ensured that the team remained competitive. He also had a strong batting record, averaging nearly 40 as captain. His long tenure makes him one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174 | 90 | 76 | 8 | 54.16% | 0 |
5. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly took charge of Indian cricket at a critical time in 1999, following a match-fixing scandal. His fearless approach and belief in young talent changed the way India played ODIs.
Under Ganguly’s captaincy, India:
- Reached the 2003 World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up to Australia.
- Won the 2002 Champions Trophy (Joint-winners) with Sri Lanka.
- Defeated England in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final, where Ganguly’s famous shirt-waving celebration at Lord’s became iconic.
His leadership laid the foundation for India’s future success, making him one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | 76 | 65 | 5 | 53.90% | 1 |
4. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains due to his sheer dominance and consistency. After taking over as India’s full-time ODI captain in 2017, he led the team to two ICC semifinals – the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal.
Although he did not win an ICC trophy, Kohli’s leadership was marked by India’s relentless performances in bilateral series, especially in overseas conditions. His winning percentage of 70.43% is one of the best among Indian captains. Additionally, his batting record as a captain was phenomenal, averaging a staggering 72.65 in ODIs.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 65 | 27 | 3 | 70.43% | 0 |
3. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has already established himself as one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains, despite having taken over the role only recently. His calm and composed captaincy, combined with his tactical brilliance, has made India a dominant force in ODIs.
Since taking charge in 2022, he led India to the 2023 World Cup final and the 2025 Champions Trophy final, proving his ability to handle pressure on the biggest stage. With the highest win percentage (76.85%) among Indian captains with 50+ ODIs, Rohit has set a new benchmark in consistency and leadership. His ability to lead from the front with his batting has further strengthened his legacy.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 41 | 12 | 2 | 76.85% | 0 |
2. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev’s leadership transformed Indian cricket forever, making him one of the Greatest Indian ODI Captains of all time. His most significant achievement was leading India to their first-ever World Cup victory in 1983, a historic moment that changed Indian cricket.
Even though his captaincy tenure (1982-1987) was relatively short, his impact was enormous. He instilled confidence in the team and proved that India could compete with the best in world cricket. His leadership style was aggressive yet inspiring, making him a true legend.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 39 | 33 | 2 | 54.16% | 1 |
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is widely recognized as the Greatest Indian ODI Captain of all time. His calm demeanor, exceptional tactical acumen, and ability to finish matches under pressure set him apart from all other captains. He remains the only Indian captain to win two ICC ODI trophies:
- 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
- 2013 ICC Champions Trophy
Dhoni’s ability to remain cool in high-pressure situations made him one of the best captains in cricket history. He led India to a 2015 World Cup semifinal and consistently guided the team to victory in crunch moments. Under his leadership, India became a dominant force in world cricket, and his sharp cricketing mind made him a captain like no other.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties/NR | Win % | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 110 | 74 | 16 | 59.52% | 2 |
Conclusion
From Kapil Dev’s 1983 triumph to MS Dhoni’s ICC double, and Rohit Sharma’s modern dominance, India has seen many greatest Indian ODI captains. Each leader brought unique strengths, shaping Indian cricket’s glorious history.
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