As of January 2025, the top 10 captains with the most wins in One Day International (ODI) cricket are:
1. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
ODI Captaincy Record
- Matches as Captain: 230
- Wins: 165
- Losses: 51
- Ties: 2
- No Results: 12
- Winning Percentage: 76.14% (One of the highest in ODI history).
Notable Achievements
- World Cup Wins:
- 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup: Undefeated campaign; Australia lifted the trophy.
- 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup: Another unbeaten run, winning the title.
- World Cup Streak:
- Ponting captained Australia during 24 of their 34 consecutive World Cup wins from 1999 to 2011.
- Champions Trophy:
- Captured the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 and 2009.
2. MS Dhoni (India)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, commonly known as MS Dhoni, is celebrated as one of India’s most successful cricket captains and a formidable wicketkeeper-batsman. Below are key details of his One Day International (ODI) career:
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Matches as Captain: 200
- Wins: 110
- Losses: 74
- No Results/Ties: 16
- Winning Percentage: 55%
Notable Achievements as Captain:
- ICC Trophies:
- 2007 ICC T20 World Cup: Led India to victory in the inaugural tournament.
- 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup: Captained India to its first World Cup win since 1983.
- 2013 ICC Champions Trophy: Secured the title, making India the first team to win all three major ICC trophies under a single captain.
3. Allan Border (Australia)
Allan Border was a transformative leader for Australia in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Here’s a detailed summary of his captaincy record and achievements:
ODI Captaincy Record
- Matches as Captain: 178
- Wins: 107
- Losses: 67
- Ties: 1
- No Results: 3
- Winning Percentage: 60.11%
Notable Achievements as ODI Captain
- 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup:
- Border captained Australia to its first-ever World Cup victory.
- Australia defeated England in the final by 7 runs, in one of the most iconic matches in World Cup history.
- This victory marked a turning point for Australian cricket, setting the foundation for future dominance in ODIs.
4. Hansie Cronje (South Africa)
Wessel Johannes “Hansie” Cronje, born on September 25, 1969, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, was a prominent cricketer who captained the South African national team during the 1990s. As an all-rounder, he was known for his right-handed batting and medium-pace bowling.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 1994–2000
- Matches as Captain: 138
- Wins: 99
- Losses: 35
- Ties: 1
- No Results: 3
- Winning Percentage: 73.70%
Notable Achievements:
- 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy: Under Cronje’s leadership, South Africa clinched their first major ICC title by winning the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now known as the ICC Champions Trophy). In the final, Cronje contributed significantly with an unbeaten 61, guiding his team to a four-wicket victory.
5. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand):
Stephen Fleming, born on April 1, 1973, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful cricket captains. A left-handed batsman known for his elegant stroke play, Fleming also earned acclaim for his astute leadership skills.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 1997–2007
- Matches as Captain: 218
- Wins: 98
- Losses: 106
- Ties: 1
- No Results: 13
- Winning Percentage: 44.95%
Notable Achievements:
- 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy: Under Fleming’s leadership, New Zealand secured their first major ICC title by winning the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now known as the ICC Champions Trophy).
- 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup: Fleming captained New Zealand to the semi-finals, showcasing strategic acumen throughout the tournament.
6. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
Graeme Smith, born on February 1, 1981, in Johannesburg, South Africa, is renowned for his significant contributions to South African cricket, both as a formidable opening batsman and as a distinguished captain. Appointed as the national team’s captain at the age of 22, he became the youngest to hold this position, leading South Africa from 2003 to 2014.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 2003–2011
- Matches as Captain: 149
- Wins: 92
- Losses: 51
- No Results: 6
- Winning Percentage: 64.23%
Notable Achievements:
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- 2006 ICC Champions Trophy: Under Smith’s leadership, South Africa reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
- 2009 ICC Champions Trophy: Smith captained the team to the semi-finals, showcasing consistent performance in ICC events.
7. Mohammad Azharuddin (India)
Mohammad Azharuddin, born on February 8, 1963, in Hyderabad, India, is celebrated as one of India’s most stylish and successful cricketers. A right-handed middle-order batsman, he was renowned for his wristy stroke play and elegant batting technique.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 1990–1999
- Matches as Captain: 174
- Wins: 103
- Losses: 66
- Ties: 1
- No Results: 4
- Winning Percentage: 59.20%
Notable Achievements:
-
- 1991–92 Cricket World Cup: Azharuddin captained India to the semi-finals, showcasing strategic leadership.
- 1996 Cricket World Cup: Under his captaincy, India reached the quarter-finals, demonstrating resilience in the tournament.
8. Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka)
Arjuna Ranatunga, born on December 1, 1963, in Gampaha, Sri Lanka, is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in Sri Lankan cricket history. A left-handed batsman and astute leader, he captained Sri Lanka to their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup victory in 1996.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 1988–1999
- Matches as Captain: 193
- Wins: 89
- Losses: 97
- Ties: 4
- No Results: 3
- Winning Percentage: 46.13%
Notable Achievements:
-
- 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup: Under Ranatunga’s leadership, Sri Lanka clinched their maiden World Cup title. In the final against Australia, Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets, with Ranatunga contributing a crucial 47 runs.
- First and Hundredth Test Matches: Ranatunga became the first cricketer to play in both his country’s inaugural and 100th Test matches, marking significant milestones in Sri Lankan cricket history.
9. Sourav Ganguly (India):
Sourav Ganguly, born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, India, is celebrated as one of India’s most successful and influential cricket captains. A left-handed batsman known for his aggressive stroke play and leadership qualities, Ganguly played a pivotal role in transforming Indian cricket during his tenure.
ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 2000–2005
- Matches as Captain: 146
- Wins: 76
- Losses: 65
- Ties: 1
- No Results: 4
- Winning Percentage: 52.05%
Notable Achievements:
-
- 2003 Cricket World Cup: Under Ganguly’s leadership, India reached the final, showcasing a competitive spirit and strategic acumen.
- Aggressive Leadership: Ganguly is credited with instilling a sense of aggression and self-belief in the Indian team, leading to significant successes in international cricket.
- Record-Breaking Partnership: He holds the record for the highest partnership in ODIs, sharing a 318-run stand with Dinesh Mongia against Ireland in 2007.
10. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
Imran Khan, born on October 5, 1952, in Lahore, Pakistan, is celebrated as one of the greatest cricketers in history and a transformative figure in Pakistan’s political landscape. As a right-handed batsman and fast bowler, he captained the Pakistan national cricket team to its first and only Cricket World Cup victory in 1992.
Cricket Career Highlights:
- ODI Captaincy Record:
- Tenure: 1982–1992
- Matches as Captain: 139
- Wins: 75
- Losses: 60
- Ties: 4
- No Results: 0
- Winning Percentage: 53.96%
Notable Achievements:
- 1992 Cricket World Cup Victory: Imran Khan’s leadership was instrumental in Pakistan’s triumph in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, a milestone that remains a pinnacle in the nation’s cricketing history.
- All-Round Excellence: Renowned for his prowess with both bat and ball, Imran Khan’s all-round capabilities were pivotal in numerous matches, exemplifying his versatility and strategic acumen.