5 Indian Players Who Are Better Captains Than Rohit Sharma

Leadership effectiveness depends on various aspects of the game. India is lucky to have some successful leaders in different phases. Since Virat Kohli decided to step down as captain of the national side, Rohit Sharma has done a great job in the recent few years in shouldering the team’s responsibility.

The Nagpur-born carried the side to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, besides winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and the 2025 Champions Trophy in a gap of just nine months. But is he the best captain the country has got? Other members of the side are equally good in other formats.

List of 5 Indian players who are better captains than Rohit Sharma

1. MS Dhoni

Winning three ICC trophies will always keep MS Dhoni at the top among all the Indian leaders. He guided a young blue brigade to the 2007 T20 World Cup before securing the 2011 ODI World Cup at home. That team was mixed with youngsters and young players.

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Once the veteran made their way out of the side, Dhoni won the 2013 Champions Trophy in England with a side. During that period, the national side was in transition mode. One of his excellent moves was to hand over the Test captaincy to Virat Kohli before handing over the smooth leadership replacement across formats in Indian cricket for the first time in history.

Under his wings, he guided Kohli at the start before leaving the side. The Ranchi-born has won 178 international games in 338 attempts at a winning rate of 53.61%.

2. Virat Kohli

Kohli becoming the Test leader was a huge blessing for the national side. He brought a new life to the red-ball side during his first series down under during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15. Since then, they have not looked back in the longest format. Winning regular away Tests was just a dream for the side, but Kohli had a different vision.

He created a solid base of fast bowlers who can pick 20 wickets in a Test match and help them win games. Under him, India won the BGT 2018-19 for the first time away from home. They also reached the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2019-21.

In 213 international games under Kohli, India has won 135 encounters at a winning rate of 63.38%.

3. Kapil Dev

To bring India into the World Cricket map, Kapil Dev had a huge contribution. Winning the 1983 ODI World Cup inspired a huge generation of players. Kapil’s message to the team, despite them getting bundled out for just 183 runs in the first innings, shows his bold character in the leadership department.

In 108 international encounters under the leadership, the Blue Brigade has won 43 games at a winning rate of around 40%. But his captaincy qualities and the ‘never die attitude were vital at the early stage of the country’s cricket.

4. Hardik Pandya

During Rohit Sharma's tenure, there were times when Hardik Pandya led the side in his absence. The all-rounder has built a stable environment among the Indian camp with his different leadership qualities. Even while leading the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Hardik always touches on the positives of the game.

In 19 international encounters that he has led, the national side has won 12 of those, with a winning rate of 63.15%. Currently, he has done a great job for the Mumbai Indians after the struggle from the previous season and the poor start they made in IPL 2025.

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5. KL Rahul

It may sound surprising, but KL Rahul's captaincy has also been top-notch across formats. When Virat Kohli was ruled out of the second Test in South Africa during the 2021 series with a back spasm, he led the national team in his absence. Overall, in 16 games across formats, Rahul has earned victories in 11 clashes at a winning rate of 68.75%.

Even for the Lucknow Super Giants, he was excellent in setting the field placements and maneuvering the bowlers. The wicket-keeper batter has carried a winning rate of 48.43%, thanks to 31 wins and as many defeats in 64 fixtures. In the future, he could be a prime replacement in the white-ball formats to lead the Blue Brigade.