The Indian cricket team has a storied history with several captains who have led the team with distinction. In this blog post, we will delve into the journey of past Indian cricket team captains and shed light on the current captain who has been at the helm in recent years.
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Past Indian Cricket Team Captains:
The Indian cricket team has seen a number of notable cricketers, captains throughout its history. Let’s take a look at some of the prominent names who have led the team in the past and their respective win-loss records:
| Captain Name | Span | Matches (Tests) | Matches (ODIs) | Matches (T20Is) | Achievements and Notable Facts |
| CK Nayudu | 1932-1934 | 7 | – | – | The first captain of the Indian cricket team in Test matches |
| Maharajkumar of Vizianagram | 1936-1936 | 3 | – | – | – |
| Nawab of Pataudi | 1946-1955 | 40 | – | – | Led India to its first-ever Test series win |
| Lala Amarnath | 1952-1953 | 2 | – | – | Scored India’s first Test century |
| Vijay Hazare | 1951-1953 | 14 | – | – | – |
| Vinoo Mankad | 1955-1959 | 6 | – | – | Legendary all-rounder and known for his batting and bowling skills |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 1952-1955 | 3 | – | – | Prominent spinner for the Indian cricket team |
| Polly Umrigar | 1955-1958 | 8 | – | – | Held the record for the most runs in Tests for India at the time |
| Hemu Adhikari | 1959-1960 | 7 | – | – | – |
| Gulabrai Ramchand | 1959-1960 | 4 | – | – | – |
| Nari Contractor | 1960-1962 | 12 | – | – | – |
| Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi | 1962-1975 | 40 | – | – | Led India to its first overseas Test series win |
| Ajit Wadekar | 1971-1974 | 16 | – | – | Led India to its first-ever Test series wins in England and the West Indies |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1976-1985 | 47 | – | – | First player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket |
| Bishen Singh Bedi | 1976-1978 | 22 | – | – | Prominent left-arm spinner and a key member of the famous Indian spin quartet |
| Gundappa Viswanath | 1980 | 1 | – | – | Known for his stylish batting and memorable innings |
| Kapil Dev | 1982-1984 | 34 | 74 | – | Led India to its first-ever Cricket World Cup win in 1983 |
| Sunil Valson | 1985 | – | 1 | – | Played a single ODI as a captain |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 1985-1989 | 10 | 9 | – | – |
| Krishnamachari Srikkanth | 1989-1990 | 4 | 13 | – | Known for his aggressive batting style |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 1989-1999 | 47 | 174 | – | Captained India in three Cricket World Cups |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1996-2000 | 25 | 73 | – | Considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time |
| Sourav Ganguly | 2000-2005 | 49 | 146 | – | Instilled a new aggressive and fearless approach in Indian cricket |
| Rahul Dravid | 2003-2007 | 25 | 79 | – | Known for his solid batting technique and resilience |
| Virender Sehwag | 2005-2012 | 4 | 12 | 1 | Known for his explosive batting at the top of the order |
| Anil Kumble | 2007-2008 | 14 | 2 | 1 | Legendary spinner and India’s highest wicket-taker |
| Mahendra Singh Dhoni | 2007-2016 | 60 | 199 | 72 | Led India to multiple ICC titles, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2010-2012 | 6 | 6 | – | Played a crucial role in India’s 2011 World Cup win |
| Virender Sehwag (acting) | 2003-2012 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Virat Kohli | 2014-2022 | 65 | 95 | 45 | Known for his exceptional batting and aggressive captaincy |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 2017-2021 | 5 | 14 | 12 | Filled in as captain during Kohli’s absence and led India to historic Test series win in Australia |
| Rohit Sharma | 2021-present | 5 | 10 | 19 | Led India to the ICC World Test Championship win in 2021 |
| KL Rahul | 2022-2022 | 1 | 4 | 2 | – |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 2022-2022 | 1 | 3 | 1 | – |
Current Captain of the Indian Cricket Team
Rohit Sharma has emerged as a key figure in Indian cricket, taking on the responsibilities of captaincy across all cricket game formats. Let’s take a closer look at his captaincy journey in each format.
- Test Match Captain:
Following the resignation of Virat Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, Rohit Sharma was appointed as the full-time captain of the Indian Test team in January 2022. This decision came after India’s series loss to South Africa. Rohit, known for his exceptional batting skills, had already established himself as India’s first-choice test opener. His stellar performance in 2021 earned him a well-deserved spot on the ICC’s Test Team of the Year. With 3137 runs in 45 Tests at an average of 46.13, Rohit has proved himself as a formidable force in the longer format of the game.
- One-Day International (ODI) Captain:
In January 2022, the All-India Senior Selection Committee entrusted Rohit Sharma with the role of India’s full-time ODI captain. His captaincy journey began on December 10, 2017, when he led India for the first time in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala. Since then, Rohit has led the team in 13 ODIs, amassing 714 runs at an impressive average of 59.5. During his captaincy tenure, he recorded a double century, a century, and four half-centuries, showcasing his ability to excel as both a leader and a batsman.
- T20 International (T20I) Captain:
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy prowess extends to the T20I format as well. He captained India for the first time in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2017, which India won convincingly with a 3-0 scoreline. After being appointed as India’s full-time limited-overs captain in November 2021, Rohit led the team to a resounding 3-0 victory over New Zealand. As T20I captain, Rohit has amassed an impressive record, scoring 1489 runs in 45 matches at an average of 36.31. His captaincy tenure includes 11 half-centuries and two centuries, further solidifying his status as a dynamic leader in the shortest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy journey has been marked by exceptional performances and notable achievements across all three formats of the game. With his batting prowess and strategic acumen, he has proven to be a capable leader, guiding the Indian team to success in various series and tournaments. As he continues to lead from the front, fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate more memorable moments under his captaincy.
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The Indian cricket team has been fortunate to have had several remarkable captains who have left their mark on the game. From the early years of Indian cricket to the present day, each captain has contributed to the team’s legacy in their own unique way. Currently, the captaincy baton lies in the hands of Rohit Sharma, who has led the team with great success. As the current captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit continues to carry the hopes and aspirations of millions of cricket fans and strives to lead the team to new heights of glory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Captain of Indian Cricket Team
Rohit Sharma is currently the captain of the Indian men’s cricket team for the Test series, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Suresh Raina holds the record for being the youngest captain of the Indian cricket team in T20Is. He took on the captaincy at the age of 23 years and 197 days.
Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli are regarded as some of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. Each of them has made significant contributions and achieved notable milestones during their captaincy tenures.
There is no specific limitation or rule associated with the change in leadership of the Indian cricket team captain across all formats of the game.
