Top 5 Captains With Highest Winning Percentage In IPL

Captains in Indian Premier League (IPL) are often one of the essential components in a team. In a competitive tournament like IPL, captains’ performances, moves, and tactics under high-pressure situations according to a venue plays an integral role in shaping up a game or even an entire tournament. Without it, even the most balanced side could plummet to a loss.

As such, there exist multiple players who have captained various franchises in the history of IPL. The IPL has become a platform not only for the young players to express themselves freely but also has given the world cricket and certain teams cricketers who have leadership skills in them. With the help of the cash-rich league, a handful of cricketers have ascended to the role of captaincy for their international sides.

We take a look at the top five captains with the highest winning percentage in IPL (Min 20 wins)

Shane Warne – 55.45%:

Shane Warne was perhaps one of the greatest captains in IPL, having led a young Rajasthan Royals side to the IPL title in 2008. The likes of Shane Watson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yusuf Pathan played crucial roles in their victory and prospered in international cricket as Shane Warne sowed the foundational seeds of it.

The former Australian spinner captained the franchise in 55 games, winning 31 and losing 24 of those with a winning percentage of 55.45%. In 55 matches, the leggie bagged 56 wickets at 25.84 along with an economy rate of 7.27. The 51-year old played the cash-rich league till 2011.

MS Dhoni – 58.45%:

MS Dhoni has a remarkable captaincy record in IPL, winning three titles with the Chennai Super Kings and guiding the franchise to the playoffs in every edition they took part in so far. Not only is MS Dhoni a shrewd tactician but also the keeper-batsman has won matches through his exploits with the bat.

The 39-year old has captained in a jaw-dropping 184 games, winning 107 and losing 76, recording a winning percentage of 58.45%. Dhoni also lead the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016; however, the team managed only five victories under him that year. Perhaps, the current year could be the first one when Dhoni fails to take CSK to the playoffs.

Sachin Tendulkar – 58.82%:

Despite Sachin Tendulkar having a horror record as Indian captain, Mumbai Indians picked him to lead the side in 2008. Sachin Tendulkar was Mumbai Indians’ icon player; however, the franchise finished fifth and seventh in the first two years. Nevertheless, the batting maestro was persisted with as the skipper.

The introduction of Kieron Pollard to the Mumbai Indians’ outfit proved as a massive boost as they reached the finals for the first time in 2010. However, they lost to Chennai Super Kings. Tendulkar captained the franchise till 2011 and his winning percentage stands at 58.82%, winning 30 and losing 21 games out of 51.

Steve Smith – 58.97%:

Steve Smith’s first captaincy experience in IPL was back in 2013 when he led Pune Warriors and went on to lead the Rajasthan Royals for the first four games in 2015 until Shane Watson returned.

The 31-year old’s best leadership stint was with the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017 when he came inched close to leading them to the IPL title. In 40 matches as captain, the right-handed batsman has won 23 games i.e., 58.97% of the matches he captained and lost 16, leading three franchises. Currently, Smith is leading the Rajasthan Royals.

Rohit Sharma – 60.17%:

Rohit Sharma’s winning percentage in seven years of captaincy in IPL stands at an impressive 60.17%. It has come on the back of leading Mumbai Indians to four titles, the first of which came in 2013 when Ricky Ponting stepped aside midway to make way for Rohit Sharma. The move proved to be a masterstroke not only for the franchise but also for Rohit.

The 33-year old might have had modest returns as a batsman; however, there is no doubting his captaincy skills. The bowlers have credited India’s limited-overs vice-captain for encouraging in backing their skills and keeping a cool head during pressure situations. From the scenario of IPL 2020, the defending champions have a good enough side to lift their fifth title. In 113 fixtures as captain, he has led to 66 victories and endured 43 losses.

Also Read: IPL 2020 Match 41: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians: MI Predicted XI