Cricket is perhaps one of the most popular sports in the world. After all, Cricket team captains work tirelessly to simply bring out the very best in their fellow team members. They will do anything to win a match.
The best captain is blessed with not just the right game-playing skills. But also the solid leadership skills to lead their team to victory.
But then, who is the best captain in the world?
Naturally, leadership plays a vital role in a team’s success in the case of any sport, including Cricket. Plus, leading your country to victory is perhaps one of the most crucial achievements in the career of a cricket.
Ever since the game’s discovery in the nineteenth century, we have seen so many masterminds leading their teams to absolutely great heights.
The captain’s position comes with a lot of pressure, responsibility, and expectations. And some players have done their best, emerging as global cricket icons in the process.
From Ricky Ponting to MS Dhoni, stay tuned to find out the best captains in the world.
Who Is The Best Captain In The World?
The most dangerous batsman in the world is perhaps the best captain in the world, or perhaps they are completely different people. When we talk about crickets who excelled in their niche, we look at their performances in those particular categories.
But while finding out about the best captains in the world, it was more about combining professional skills and talents with leadership qualities to arrive at a logical conclusion. Let’s check out the best captains in the world at a glance.
| Player | Team | Total Matches | Wins | Loses | Success Rate |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 324 | 220 | 77 | 67.9 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 332 | 178 | 120 | 54.61 |
| Graeme Smith | South Africa | 286 | 163 | 89 | 56.99 |
| Steve Waugh | Australia | 163 | 108 | 44 | 66.25 |
| Allan Border | Australia | 271 | 139 | 89 | 51.29 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 213 | 135 | 60 | 63.38 |
| Stephen Fleming | New Zealand | 303 | 128 | 135 | 42.24 |
| Hansie Cronje | South Africa | 191 | 126 | 46 | 65.96 |
| Eoin Morgan | England | 198 | 118 | 67 | 59.59 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | India | 221 | 104 | 90 | 47.05 |
Those were the top captains in the world! So, without wasting time, scroll down and check out the best four captains in the world – it’s time for the details!
1. Ricky Ponting (Australia):
220 Wins | 324 Matches
If you google ‘best captain in the world Cricket,’ then this former captain of the Australian cricket team is bound to pop up on top.
Statistically, Ponting is the world’s best Cricket captain, considering he won 220 matches out of the 324 he played. So, his winning rate is a whopping 67.9%.
Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career,
- Ponting was the captain of the Australian Cricket team in 2003 as well as 2007. He led his team to victory in 2 consecutive World Cups (50-overs).
- Ponting also led his team to victory in 2 Champions Trophy – one in 2006 and the other in 2009.
- Ponting is the top Australian scorer in both Tests and ODIs, scoring over 10,000 runs in each category.
- Ponting is the only Cricketer to win over 100 test games.
- Ponting is also one of the best fielders in the world.
2. M.S. Dhoni (India):
178 Wins | 332 Matches
Undoubtedly, M.S. Dhoni’s name will go down as the best captain in the world of cricket history. The former skipper of the Indian Cricket team has an overall success rate of 53.61%, and that too across different formats.
Dhoni won 178 matches out of 332 matches as a captain. To date, Dhoni is known as the world’s best captain, with fans calling him ‘Captain Cool’ because of his strong intuitive skills and ability to lead from the front.
Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career,
- For the first time in the history of Cricket, the Indian Cricket team ranked number 1 in Test Cricket under Dhoni’s leadership in 2009.
- Nicknamed ‘Thala,’ Dhoni led the Indian Cricket team to perhaps its most successful professional phase, starting in 2007 and ending in 2018.
- Dhoni led the Indian Cricket team to victory, winning 3 ICC trophies – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
3. Graeme Smith (South Africa):
163 Wins | 286 Matches
One name that will definitely accompany Ponting and Dhoni in most ‘best captain in the world all time’ lists is that of the former South African skipper, Graeme Smith.
The former skipper of the South African Cricket team has won 163 matches out of the 286 matches he played as the team’s captain.
Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career,
- Smith was the ‘youngest-ever captain’ when he was appointed skipper of the South Indian Cricket team at only 22.
- Under the leadership of Smith, the South African Cricket team became a really good touring team.
- Smith is the only Cricket captain who played more than 100 matches in Test Cricket and recorded the most number of wins with a whopping 53 victories.
- Smith scored 2 double centuries in consecutive Test matches during the 2003 South African tour of England – one at Lord’s and one at Edgbaston.
4. Steve Waugh (Australia):
108 Wins | 163 Matches
If we are talking about the best captain in the world, then we cannot miss out on mentioning Steve Waugh. Waugh does not need an introduction or appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the entire Australian Cricket community.
Like Dhoni, Waugh was known for making the boldest decision, especially under pressure. Under the captaincy of Waugh, Australian cricketers reached a point where the entire team was simply ready to rule.
Here are a few highlights from his illustrious career,
- The Australian Cricket team won the World Cup in 1999 after nearly losing the tournament early on.
- Under Waugh’s leadership, the Australian Cricket team became the top team in Test Cricket, winning 41 matches out of 57 matches, only to lose to India. Waugh fondly called India, ‘the Last Frontier.’
- To date, Waugh is perhaps the most successful Cricket captain in the world since he is responsible for Australia’s rise to fame.
And It’s A Wrap!
So, now that you know who is the best captain in the world, what are your thoughts? Do you think we are missing out on anyone really good, really famous?
Then feel free to help us out! Share your thoughts, experiences, and stories related to the best Cricket captains in the world mentioned in the comments below.
