Top 5 most successful ODI captains of India, Greatest Leaders

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Top 5 most successful ODI captains of India: Indian cricket has seen many great captains in history, who have taken Team India to new heights with their leadership. But when it comes to One Day International cricket, the question always arises: who is India's No. 1 ODI captain?

This debate isn't limited to statistics, but also includes ICC trophies, team impact, and captaincy styles. Let's take a look at the performance and legacy of India's top 5 ODI captains.

5. Revolutionizer of Indian Cricket: Sourav Ganguly

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Sourav Ganguly is considered one of the most important captains in Indian cricket, especially for instilling a winning mentality on foreign soil. With 76 wins in 146 matches, his win percentage was 52.05%.

Captain	Matches Played	Won	Lost	Win Percentage
Sourav Ganguly	146	76	65	52.05%

Ganguly built a team in the early 2000s that featured match-winners like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Zaheer Khan. His greatest achievement was reaching the 2003 World Cup final and teaching the team to face challenges.

4. The Wall and the Strategist: Rahul Dravid

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During his captaincy, Rahul Dravid overcame many difficult overseas tours. Under his captaincy, India won 42 out of 79 matches, giving them a win percentage of 53.16%. His captaincy style was always based on calm and deep strategic planning.

Captain	Matches Played	Won	Lost	Win Percentage
Rahul Dravid	79	42	33	53.16%

Also Read: Which state in India produces the most cricketers, Top 5 List

3. The epitome of aggression: Virat Kohli

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Virat Kohli brought a new aggression and fitness culture to the team through his captaincy. Under his captaincy, the Indian team became one of the fittest and most competitive teams in the world.

Captain	Matches Played	Won	Lost	Win Percentage
Virat Kohli	95	65	27	68.42%

Kohli has an impressive win percentage of 68.42%, putting him ahead of Dhoni. However, the team did not win any ICC trophies during his tenure (reaching the 2017 Champions Trophy final and the 2019 World Cup semi-finals). His captaincy and passion on the field make him an unforgettable leader.

2. The 'Captain Cool' of the Modern Era: MS Dhoni

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While Dhoni lags behind Rohit and Virat in terms of win percentage, he is the true contender for the title of "The Greatest".

Dhoni is the only Indian captain to have won all three major ICC limited-overs trophies:

• 2007 ICC T20 World Cup
• 2011 ICC ODI World Cup
• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy

Captain	Matches Played	Won	Lost	Win Percentage
MS Dhoni	200	110	74	55.00%

Dhoni, who captained in 200 matches, transformed Indian cricket with his calm, accurate decision-making under pressure (known as 'Captain Cool'). His win percentage was 55.00%, but he laid the foundation for the team for over a decade and nurtured many young players. His legacy lies not just in statistics, but in the confidence and trophies he gave to Indian cricket.

1. King of Statistics: Rohit Sharma

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If we go purely by Win Percentage, then Rohit Sharma is clearly the number one captain.

Captain	Matches Played	Won	Lost	Win Percentage
Rohit Sharma	56	42	12	75.00%

Rohit Sharma has provided tremendous consistency to the team during his short tenure as captain. Under his captaincy, Team India won the Asia Cup in 2018 and 2023, and made a remarkable run to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. His calm demeanor, strategic understanding, and fearlessness in big matches have been hallmarks of his captaincy.

Conclusion: Who's No. 1?

The decision on "No. 1 Captain" depends on who you value most:

1. Pure stats (win percentage): Rohit Sharma (75.00%)
2. Tournament success (ICC trophies): MS Dhoni (3 ICC titles)
3. Team formation and impact: Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni

Most cricket experts and fans consider Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be India's greatest ODI captain of all time due to his unparalleled ICC record and long-term impact on the team, but based on recent performance and statistics, Rohit Sharma is the best.

Also Read: Why was Rohit Sharma removed from India ODI captaincy?

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