Top 6 Indian cricket captains ranked by era and legacy

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Dhoni Kohli Rohit (Twitter)

Over the decades, Indian cricket has seen numerous captains leading the national team. While many have taken the responsibility, only a few have made their names in the legacy of Indian cricket. These leaders not just won matches but transformed the team culture, inspired belief, and brought a fighting spirit. Their legacy continues to influence how Indian cricket operates today. 

6. Mohammad Azharuddin

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Mohammad Azharuddin. (Photo Source: ICC)

Mohammad Azharuddin was one of those Indian captains who led the team with style and charisma. Making his Test debut against England in 1984, he burst onto the scene with centuries in each of his first three Tests. As a batter, he was admired for his technique and wrist work and often compared to Zaheer Abbas and Greg Chappell.

Azharuddin captained India in 47 Tests and 174 ODIs, leading the team to 14 and 90 wins respectively. He scored 6215 runs with 22 centuries In 99 Tests and amassed 9378 runs in 334 ODIs. His 121 at Lord’s in 1990 is one of the most memorable knocks played by him. Azharuddin's career was cut short due to match-fixing allegations. However, he received immense appreciation from his teammates and fans for leading the team for a decade. Notably, he captained the team in three ODI World Cups, from 1992 to 1999.

5. Sourav Ganguly

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Sourav Ganguly took over as India’s captain during a tough time in 2000, following the match-fixing scandal. With several seniors moving out, he had the task of rebuilding the team. But Ganguly took up the challenge brilliantly, leading a team which had a mix of stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble, and the youngsters like Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh.

He was known to back his players strongly and guide India on how to win abroad. Under his leadership, India recorded memorable overseas Test wins and reached the 2003 World Cup final. In Tests, Ganguly led India in 49 matches, winning 21. While in ODIs, he registered 76 wins in 146 games as a captain.

4. Rohit Sharma

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

Batting stalwart Rohit Sharma’s tenure as India’s captain has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After leading India to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they lost to Australia, Rohit made a brilliant comeback by clinching two major ICC trophies, the 2024 T20 World Cupand the 2025 Champions Trophy. These victories have placed him second on the list of India's most successful white-ball captains, behind only MS Dhoni in terms of ICC titles.

Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is and Tests in 2025. Despite a few lows, including the historic 0-3 home Test whitewash against New Zealand in 2024, his records have been impressive. Now leading only in the 50-over format, Rohit has made a legacy as a leader. The Nagpur-born is known for his on-field behaviour and the friendly bond he shares with his teammates.

3. Virat Kohli

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Virat Kholi (source: X)

Star Indian batter, Virat Kohli’s captaincy stint from 2014 to 2022 was revolutionary. Kohli brought an aggressive, never-back-down attitude that changed India’s approach in international cricket. His on-the-face style made India a tough opponent, especially in overseas conditions. Under his leadership, India won a historic Test series in Australia (2018-19), reached the World Test Championship final in 2021, and never lost a home Test series.

With 40 Test wins in 68 matches and the highest win percentage among Indian Test skippers, Kohli set a benchmark for his successors. The 36-year-old is considered to be one of the most successful skippers to have guided the team. In the ODI format, the team reached the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup in 2019 under his leadership.

2. Kapil Dev

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

Kapil Dev ( Source:Gettymages)

India's first ODI World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev, recorded a turning point in Indian cricket history. Leading India from 1982 to 1987, the all-rounder brought belief to a team which was known to struggle at the highest level. His leadership ended in India’s iconic 1983 World Cup triumph, a victory that stunned the mighty West Indies and gave Indian cricket its first global glory.

In 74 ODIs as captain, he led India to 39 wins. Kapil Dev played one of his most legendary knocks  in the format's history, as his unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe remains a part of the World Cup folklore. He also picked 91 wickets as captain, the most by any Indian ODI skipper.

1. MS Dhoni

6. Mohammad Azharuddin, 5. Sourav Ganguly, 4. Rohit Sharma, 3. Virat Kohli, 2. Kapil Dev, 1. MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni World Cup 2011. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

One of the most celebrated captains, MS Dhoni, went on to become one of the best leaders to captain India. Taking the duties during a transitional period, Dhoni led India to some of its most historic victories, the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, making him the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball titles. The Ranchi-born was known for on-field intelligence and the ability to take the game deep.

He promoted young talent, backed his players, and brought a sense of belief n the Indian dressing room. Under his leadership, India also reached the No. 1 Test ranking in 2009. His iconic six to win the 2011 World Cup remains one of the most memorable moments in cricket's history.

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