IPL Best Captains: 10 Most Successful Team Captains Basis Their Winning Percentages (2008-2024*)

As a cricket enthusiast; you're surely familiar with the thrill and fervour of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This professional Twenty20 cricket league was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008 and has taken the world by storm.  Attracting a vast audience and securing numerous sponsorships, the IPL has established itself as one of the most celebrated and financially successful cricket leagues globally. 

The league isn't just known for its success but also for its crazy fan following and surprises, and this season has been no exception. In the IPL 2024 season, the atmosphere is more exciting and controversial than ever, especially surrounding the captaincy changes in several teams. The cricket world was taken aback as Hardik Pandya stepped in to replace Rohit Sharma, sparking widespread debate. Moreover, the legendary MS Dhoni handed the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Virat Kohli saw Faf du Plessis taking over his captaincy duties. These shifts have set the stage for a season filled with anticipation and speculation. 

But amidst this whirlwind of changes, who is the best captain in IPL of all time? 

We're excited to present you with a detailed exploration of the 10 Most Successful Captains in IPL in History. From their leadership qualities and key accomplishments, we'll give you an in-depth look at what sets these captains apart.

For anyone with a passion for cricket or looking for a guide for IPL Stats and Records for their Cricket betting, this is a feature you want to take advantage of. 

So, what are you waiting for? Go on, give it a read!

What Criteria Determine the List Of the Most Successful Captains in IPL History?

Are you curious to know who the best IPL team captain is? Selecting the most successful captain in IPL isn't just a personal opinion. It's based on criteria that help us identify the most successful and impactful captains in the tournament's history. 

So, what are these criteria that determine the IPL's best captain? Let's take a look:

• Leadership Qualities: A good captain can inspire their team, motivate them, and maintain team morale. They should be able to make tactical decisions under pressure and adjust the team's game plan according to the situation. The captain should also have excellent communication skills to convey their plans to the team effectively. Identifying the best fielders, the most reliable finishers, and the top IPL spinners in the league is also crucial for a captain, as it helps strategize and optimize team performance.
  
  
• On-Field Performance: A captain should lead by example and perform consistently well throughout the tournament. They should be able to contribute to the team's success with both bat and ball. A captain who can perform under pressure and in crucial situations is always a valuable asset to the team.
  
  
• Consistency: Consistency is key to being a successful captain. A consistent captain should be able to perform well throughout the tournament rather than just in a few matches. They should be able to lead the team to victory consistently and perform well under pressure.
  
  
• Success in the IPL: A captain's success in the IPL is crucial in determining their position in the list of the best captains in IPL. The number of titles won, the team's overall performance under their leadership, and the captain's contribution to the team's success are all essential factors. A captain who has led their team to multiple IPL titles and consistently performed well in the tournament will likely be considered one of the top captains in IPL history.
  
  
• Ability to Handle Pressure: The IPL is a high-pressure tournament, and handling pressure is crucial for a captain's success. A captain who can keep their cool and make the right decisions in crunch situations is always an asset to the team.

So, the question that's probably on your mind is, who holds the record for being the most successful captain in IPL history? 

Best IPL Team Captains: Winning Percentage Rankings

The IPL has seen phenomenal captains who have led their teams to numerous victories and titles. We have compiled a comprehensive list of all the captains and ranked them based on their winning percentages from the 2008 to 2023 IPL seasons. 

So, without further ado, let's examine the best IPL team captains and their respective rankings.

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10 Most Successful Captains in IPL Teams in the History of IPL (2008-2024*)

Over the years, IPL has witnessed some brilliant leadership skills and strategic moves by captains, which have helped their teams clinch the coveted trophy. Let's look at the best 10 IPL team captains in the history of the IPL.

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni is one of the greatest captains in IPL history. He has led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014. In the IPL 2023 season, CSK won their fifth IPL title under his captaincy.  He played a crucial role in guiding the team to victory with his excellent captaincy skills and experience. Under his leadership, CSK has won 128 matches out of 212, with a winning percentage of 60.38%. Dhoni's calm and composed attitude on the field has always been an asset for CSK and has been instrumental in building a strong team over the years.

Dhoni has been the captain of CSK since the inaugural season of IPL in 2008-a seasoned player who is fondly termed as the King of IPL captains! Circa 2024, Ruturaj Gaikwad has replaced Dhoni as the new captain of CSK in IPL 2024. Even as he transitions from captain to player, he will continue to contribute with his impressive batting skills and be a source of support and inspiration for his team.

2. Rohit Sharma

Mumbai ka raja, as fans lovingly call him, Rohit Sharma is another great captain in IPL history. He has led Mumbai Indians (MI) to five IPL titles. Rohit was appointed as the captain of MI in 2013, and since then, he has led the team to 87 wins out of 158 matches, with a winning percentage of 55.06%. Rohit's best performance as a captain came in 2019 and 2020  when he led MI to their fourth and fifth IPL title for two consecutive years. He is also the only player to have won the IPL title as a player and a captain for the same team.

However, in the IPL season of 2024, Rohit Sharma will not be leading the team. Hardik Pandya has replaced Rohit after leading the Gujarat Titans for two years. While Rohit Sharma is not leading the team this season, he continues to play a crucial role in MI's success with his experience and excellent batting skills.

3. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been a key figure in IPL history, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with great passion. Kohli took over as RCB's captain in 2013 and has been at the helm for many seasons, guiding the team through 143 matches, with 66 wins under his belt and a winning rate of 48.56%. Though RCB didn't clinch an IPL title under his captaincy, Kohli's leadership and his mindblowing performances on the field have left a lasting impact. He's not just RCB's most celebrated captain but also India's most successful Test captain. Despite stepping down as captain, Kohli has made it clear he remains dedicated to RCB, promising to continue playing for them. For the IPL 2024 season, Kohli has taken a leave as the captain of RCB; instead, Faf Du Plessis has been leading the team.

4. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir is one of the IPL’s most successful captains in history. Although he also captained the Delhi Daredevils before he was assigned to Kolkata, he couldn’t quite find his footing in the former team. Gambhir was appointed as the captain of KKR in 2011, and since then, he has led the team to 61 wins out of 108 matches, with a winning percentage of 56.48%. He has also led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two IPL titles. Gambhir's best performance as a captain came in 2012 and 2014 when he led KKR to their first IPL title. 

5. David Warner

David Warner stands out as one of the IPL's most dynamic captains. Beginning his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2009, Warner was initially a hidden gem until his leadership potential was recognized. After a significant stint with Delhi until 2013, Warner transitioned to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. By 2015, he had taken the helm as captain, steering the team to an IPL victory in 2016. Despite a falling out with SRH in 2021, Warner returned to the Delhi Capitals in 2022. In 2023, following a car accident that sidelined Rishabh Pant, Warner assumed captaincy for the Capitals, though the team finished 9th in the league. Warner brings a wealth of experience and a notable track record, having led his teams to 40 wins out of 83 matches, boasting a winning percentage of 49.39%.

6. Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist, the Australian cricket icon, was the captain for the Punjab Kings and later for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Renowned for his dynamic leadership, Gilchrist has been a pivotal figure in the IPL, leading his teams with distinction. Under Gilchrist's captaincy, his teams celebrated victory in 35 out of the 75 matches, marking a winning percentage of 47.29%. His leadership qualities were about the victories and how he inspired his teams to punch above their weight, showcasing resilience and teamwork in every match they played.

7. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, the dynamic cricket talent, resumed his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captaincy role in the 2024 IPL season. After an unfortunate setback, missing part of the season due to a back injury, Iyer has made a strong comeback, leading KKR with determination and skill. Despite continuing issues with his back, his leadership on the field remains unwavering. Iyer, who excels as a middle-order batter, particularly against spin, took over the reins of KKR in IPL 2022 after showcasing his capabilities for seven seasons at Delhi Capitals (DC). His tenure at KKR has been marked by a commendable leadership record, securing victory in 27 out of 55 matches, which translates to a winning percentage of 50.90%. Despite the challenges, his leadership continues to inspire KKR and drives to bring out the best in his team.

8. Shane Warne

Shane Warne, the Australian cricket legend, was the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the inaugural season of IPL in 2008.  He is one of the most successful captains in IPL history, leading RR to victory in the first IPL season, making them the champions of IPL 2008. Warne's captaincy skills were instrumental in RR's success in the first season of IPL. Under his leadership, RR won 30 matches out of 55, with a winning percentage of 54.55%. His aggressive and innovative approach also characterised his captaincy and ability to inspire his team to perform to their full potential. Unfortunately, he succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 52.

 9. Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag is celebrated as one of the IPL's most dynamic captains, renowned for his aggressive batting style and strategic acumen. Initially, Sehwag captained the Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals, showcasing his leadership skills. With a brief hiatus from captaincy to focus on his batting, he passed the mantle to Gautam Gambhir. However, with Gambhir's move to Kolkata Knight Riders, Sehwag reassumed leadership for Delhi in 2011. Throughout his tenure, Sehwag led his team to 28 victories out of 53 matches, boasting a winning percentage of 53.77%. Known as one of the most destructive openers and celebrated batsmen of his era, Sehwag's captaincy was marked by a blend of fearless batting and sharp strategic moves, making his leadership period memorable in IPL history.

10. KL Rahul 

KL Rahul has emerged as one of the IPL's most successful captains, leading the Lucknow Super Giants. Since taking charge as LSG’s captain, Rahul has steered his team to victory in 25 out of 51 matches, with a winning percentage of 50.98%. His leadership has been pivotal in guiding his team through various challenges and achieving notable successes. While he may not have as many wins as other captains, his influence on the team's performance and strategic acumen cannot be understated. As he continues to lead the Lucknow Super Giants, Rahul's leadership qualities are poised further to shape the team's journey in the IPL 2024. Currently, their team is ranked at position three and has won six out of ten games so far. This solid performance speaks volumes about the team's potential under his guidance.

IPL Team Captains 2024

There have been some significant changes in the captaincy for the upcoming year, with five teams having new captains. After leading Gujarat Titans for two consecutive years, Hardik Pandya has returned to Mumbai Indians as the captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. Ruturaj Gaikwad has also replaced M.S Dhoni as the captain of Chennai Super Kings. It's surprising how things have shaken up for both teams lately. Pandya and Gaikwad taking on new roles has been pretty interesting. Mumbai Indians are struggling at the bottom, but Chennai seems to be doing alright with Gaikwad leading them. They're sitting comfortably in fourth place. So, even with the change in captaincy, Chennai Super Kings are still doing great this year. 

In addition to these changes, Shreyas Iyer replaced Nitish Rana as the new captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, while Rishabh Pant has returned after missing the 2023 IPL due to a car crash. He has resumed his role as captain for Delhi Capitals, taking over from David Warner. Shubman Gill also experienced his first IPL captaincy as he stepped in as the new captain of Gujarat Titans, replacing Pandya.

Here’s the IPL 2024 Teams and Captains List:

How to Bet on Your Favourite IPL Teams and Captains @Zetto?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bet on cricket IPL teams and captains on the Zetto:

• Register and Login: Visit the ‘Zetto’ website and register by clicking the "Join Now" button. Follow the step-by-step registration process and log in to your account.
  
  
• Access the IPL Section: Once logged in, click on the Cricket Section on the Zetto homepage and select the ‘IPL’ Section and the specific match you want to bet.
  
  
• Deposit Funds: Once registered, deposit sufficient funds into your account to place bets.
  
  
• Explore Markets and Odds: Browse an extensive range of cricket markets and find the best IPL odds online on Zetto that suit your preferences. 
  
  
• Place Your Bet: Ready to make your prediction? Place your bet with just a few clicks.

However, if you're looking to place bets on a cricket session, especially the upcoming IPL 2024 session,  the quickest and most convenient way to do so is by downloading Zetto’s IPL Betting App. You can access the platform and start betting on your favourite IPL teams with a few clicks.

The app's user-friendly interface and secure payment options make it a convenient and safe choice for cricket betting enthusiasts. With live IPL betting odds and updates, you can stay on top of the action and make informed betting decisions. 

Ready to place your bets on your favourite captain in IPL? Download the Best IPL Betting App today and join the excitement of IPL cricket betting!

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FAQ’s related to the Most Successful Captain in IPL

1. How many IPL titles has Rohit Sharma won as a captain? 

Rohit Sharma has won 5 IPL titles as a captain of Mumbai Indians.

2. Who is the current captain of RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore)? 

Faf Du Plessis is the current captain of Chennai Super Kings.

3. Who has the highest win percentage as an IPL captain? 

As of 2024, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the highest win percentage as an IPL captain, with 60.38%.

4. Who is the king of IPL Captain?

While it's a matter of personal opinion, MS Dhoni is often called the king of the IPL team captain because of his impressive record of leading the Chennai Super Kings to victory multiple times.

5. Who is the best captain in IPL 2023?

IPL fan favourite, the Thala, MS Dhoni once again became the best IPL captain in 2023 by winning the IPL trophy for the fifth time!