In T20 cricket, a single over can completely change the match’s complexion, such is the nature of the game. Hence, every on-field decision the captain makes can be the difference between victory and defeat.
In this fast and dynamic format of T20 cricket, captaincy becomes the key to success. Here are the top 10 most successful captains in T20I cricket.
Criteria for ranking the most successful captains in t20 cricket –
- The player must have captained a minimum of 25 T20I matches.
- The number of ICC T20I World Cup won as a captain has been given more importance compared to the win percentage.
- In case 2 captains have won the same number of ICC T20 World Cups, the one with a higher win percentage is ranked higher.
Based on the above criteria, here is the table of the top 10 most successful captains in T20I cricket –
| Sl. No. | Captain | Country | Span | Matches as Captain | Won | Lost | Tied/NR | Win % |
| 1 | Darren Sammy | West Indies | 2011 – 2016 | 47 | 27 | 17 | 3 | 61.11% |
| 2 | Paul Collingwood | England | 2007 – 2011 | 30 | 17 | 11 | 2 | 60.71% |
| 3 | MS Dhoni | India | 2007 – 2016 | 72 | 41 | 28 | 3 | 59.28% |
| 4 | Aaron Finch | Australia | 2014 – Present | 65 | 35 | 27 | 3 | 56.34% |
| 5 | Dinesh Chandimal | Sri Lanka | 2013 – 2018 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 50.00% |
| 6 | Rohit Sharma | India | 2017 – Present | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 85.71% |
| 7 | Asghar Stanikzai | Afghanistan | 2015 – 2021 | 52 | 42 | 9 | 1 | 81.73% |
| 8 | Sarfraz Ahmed | Pakistan | 2016 – 2019 | 37 | 29 | 8 | 0 | 78.37% |
| 9 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 2019 – Present | 41 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 72.22% |
| 10 | Virat Kohli | India | 2017 – 2021 | 50 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 64.58% |
Special mention – Younis Khan won the T20 World Cup as captain with Pakistan in 2009, however, since he hasn’t captained Pakistan for a minimum of 25 matches, he is not on the above list of successful captains in T20I. But being a T20I World Cup winning captain, his name definitely deserves to be mentioned!
1. darren sammy
Win % – 61.11% T20I World Cups won – 2 (2012 and 2016)
Under the leadership of Clive Lloyd, in 1979, West Indies became the first team to win the ODI World Cup twice and now under the leadership of Darren Sammy, West Indies became the first nation to win the T20 World Cup twice in 2016. With 2 T20I world cup victories as captain, which is the most by any to date, and an impressive win percentage of 61.11%, Darren Sammy is the best when it comes to most successful captains in T20I cricket, record-wise.
2. Paul Collingwood
Win % – 60.71% T20I World Cups won – 1 (2010)
Paul Collingwood, in the 2010 edition of T20I World Cup, became the first captain for England to ever win a World Cup! That’s a great record to hold for Paul, and with a very good win % of over 60, he follows Darren Sammy in this list of most successful captains in T20I cricket.
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Win % – 59.28% T20I World Cups won – 1 (2007)
The inaugural edition of the T20I World Cup in 2007 was won by India under the astute leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni! This victory led to the birth of IPL which revolutionized T20 cricket in the world. Dhoni ranks 3rd in the list of most successful captains in T20I cricket, but Indian fans will be disappointed that India under him couldn’t add to the number of titles won given they were favorites in the 2014 and 2016 editions.
4. Aaron Finch
Win % – 56.34% T20I World Cups won – 1 (2020 edition which was played in 2021)
Aaron Finch is the latest captain to have won the T20I World Cup and makes it to the 4th spot of most successful captains in T20I cricket with a win percentage of 56.34%. With a strong team and home advantage, Finch will look to win another title in the upcoming T20I World Cup this October and become the first captain to win this trophy twice in a row.
5. Dinesh Chandimal
Win % – 50.00% T20I World Cups won – 1 (2014)
After the heartbreaking defeats at the 2007, 2011 ODI World Cup finals and 2009, and 2012 T20I World Cup finals, under the captaincy of Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka finally managed to cross the final hurdle and win an ICC Trophy in the form of T20I World Cup. with a slightly inferior win%, Chandimal, record-wise is 5th with respect to most successful captains in T20I cricket.
6. Rohit Sharma
Win % – 85.71% T20I World Cups won – Did not win
Rohit Sharma currently has the best win percentage among captains who have captained his international T20I side for at least 25 matches. He will have his sight firmly on the upcoming T20I World Cup, and if he manages to win it, then he will straightaway climb to the 2nd spot in this table of most successful captains in T20I courtesy of his superior win %.
7. Asghar Stanikzai
Win % – 81.73% T20I World Cups won – Did not win
Asghar Stanikzai takes 7th place when it comes to the most successful captains in T20I with a staggering win % of over 80%. Under his leadership, Afghanistan grew as a cricketing nation and became a force to be reckoned with.
8. Sarfraz Khan
Win % – 78.37% T20I World Cups won – Did not win
Pakistan improved as a T20I team thanks to Sarfraz Khan who grabs the 8th position in the chart of most successful captains in T20I cricket. His high win % of 78.37% is the best proof of why Pakistan became a powerhouse in T20I cricket.
9. Babar Azam
Win % – 72.22% T20I World Cups won – Did not win
Babar Azam is the successor of Sarfraz Khan when it comes to both captaincy for Pakistan in T20Is and one of the most successful captains in T20I cricket. Babar Azam, with his prime form, is at the moment leading from the front and would be gutted that he and his troops didn’t end up winning the last edition of the T20I World Cup in UAE.
10. Virat Kohli
Win % – 64.58% T20I World Cups won – Did not win
King Kohli wraps up the elite list of most successful captains in T20I cricket with a healthy win % of 64.58%. Interestingly, he captained India in only one T20I World Cup, which is the latest one that didn’t end up well for India. He would be very eager to find his best form and win the upcoming T20I World Cup for India as a player.
That completes the list of most successful captains in T20I cricket.
FAQs on Most Successful Captains in T20 Cricket
Who is the most successful captain in T20I cricket?
Darren Sammy
Who has won the most number of t20I World Cups?
West Indies – 2
Who won the inaugural T20I World Cup?
India
Read recent articles
Top 10 most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world
Top 10 bowlers with most maiden overs in ODI cricket
Top 5 teams with most ICC trophies
Top 10 cricketers with most international runs
