The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the toughest cricket leagues, where a single mistake can change the game’s outcome. Captains play a crucial role in leading their teams to success, and those with the most wins as captain in IPL have showcased exceptional leadership. They guide, motivate, and make key decisions that can turn the game in their favor, ensuring their team’s victory year after year.
List of 10 Most Wins as Captain in IPL History
| S.No | Player | Teams Captained | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MS Dhoni | Chennai Super Kings / Rising Pune Supergiants | 226 | 133 | 91 | 59.37 | 5 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians | 158 | 87 | 67 | 56.32 | 5 |
| 3 | Gautam Gambhir | Delhi Capitals / Kolkata Knight Riders | 129 | 71 | 57 | 55.42 | 2 |
| 4 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad / Delhi Capitals | 83 | 40 | 41 | 49.39 | 1 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 143 | 66 | 70 | 48.56 | 0 |
| 6 | Adam Gilchrist | Deccan Chargers / Punjab Kings | 74 | 35 | 39 | 47.29 | 1 |
| 7 | Shane Warne | Rajasthan Royals | 55 | 30 | 24 | 55.45 | 1 |
| 8 | Sachin Tendulkar | Mumbai Indians | 51 | 30 | 21 | 58.82 | 0 |
| 9 | Virender Sehwag | Delhi Capitals / Punjab Kings | 53 | 28 | 24 | 55.45 | 0 |
| 10 | Shreyas Iyer | Delhi Capitals / Kolkata Knight Riders | 55 | 27 | 26 | 50.90 | 0 |
1. MS Dhoni – 133 Wins as Captain
MS Dhoni is widely regarded as the best captain in IPL history, with the most wins as captain in IPL. Over his career, Dhoni captained both Chennai Super Kings and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants. Known as “Captain Cool,” he earned the nickname for his composed demeanor and sharp cricketing mind. Throughout 226 matches as captain, Dhoni achieved 133 wins, with a solid winning percentage of 59.37%. Despite facing 91 losses, Dhoni’s leadership was instrumental in guiding Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, cementing their place as one of the most successful teams in the tournament. Before the 2024 season, he passed the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 226 | 133 | 91 | 59.37 | 5 |
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2. Rohit Sharma – 87 Wins as Captain
Rohit Sharma is regarded as the second-best captain in IPL history. Taking over as Mumbai Indians’ captain mid-season in 2013, he turned the team’s fortunes around. Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians won the title in his first season, followed by four more victories in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. With 87 wins out of 158 matches and a win percentage of 56.32, Rohit Sharma holds the record for most wins as captain in IPL. Remarkably, he has never lost a final, further cementing his legacy as the most successful IPL captain.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158 | 87 | 67 | 56.32 | 5 |
3. Gautam Gambhir – 71 Wins as Captain
Gautam Gambhir was a highly successful IPL captain, notably with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Under his leadership, KKR secured IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful captains in the league. Gambhir’s leadership record is remarkable, having captained 129 matches, winning 71, and losing 57, resulting in a win percentage of 55.42%. While his time with Delhi Capitals didn’t achieve the same level of success, his overall performance as a captain remains impressive. Gambhir’s record of most wins as captain in IPL highlights his pivotal role in making KKR one of the top teams in the tournament.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 | 71 | 57 | 55.42 | 2 |
4. David Warner – 40 Wins as Captain
David Warner is one of the best overseas players in IPL history, known for his leadership with Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading them to victory in 2016. He also captained Delhi Capitals in 2022, though with less success. In 83 matches, Warner won 40 and lost 41, with a win percentage of 49.39%. His leadership remains a key highlight of his IPL journey.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | 40 | 41 | 49.39 | 1 |
5. Virat Kohli – 66 Wins as Captain
Despite not winning an IPL title, Virat Kohli is regarded as one of the top captains in IPL history. His leadership skills played a crucial role in making Royal Challengers Bangalore a competitive team. Kohli captained RCB in 143 matches, winning 66 and losing 71, with a win percentage of 48.56%. Although he didn’t win an IPL trophy, his contributions and leadership have earned him the respect of many in the cricket world. Notably, he holds one of the most wins as captain in IPL, making his captaincy record significant even without a title.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Titles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143 | 66 | 71 | 48.56 | 0 |
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