IPL Winning Captains (2008-2026)

MS Dhoni, Rajat Patidar, Rohit Sharma (Source: AFP)

The Indian Premier League (IPL), organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is the most popular cricket league in the world. Launched in 2008, IPL has reinvented the nation’s cricket league by transforming a long-winded ‘gentlemen’s game’ into a thrilling three-hour sports drama featuring Bollywood stars.

Over the years, many teams have built an undisputed legacy through historical dominance, championship pedigree, and enduring cultural impact. 

For the unversed, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most successful IPL teams, having won the tournament five times each. 

Mumbai Indians won all five titles under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, and CSK also won all five titles under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. 

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has transformed their legacy from one of the league's most heartbreaking trophy droughts to an elite championship dynasty. 

After waiting 18 years for their maiden crown, they secured historic back-to-back IPL championships in 2025 and 2026 under the astute leadership of Rajat Patidar.

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That being said, let's have a look at the IPL winning captains.

IPL Winning Captains 2008-2026

MS Dhoni — 5 titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, affectionately known as ‘Thala’ by the legion of CSK fans, has been associated with the franchise since the inception of the IPL in 2008. Under his leadership, Chennai Super Kings have won five IPL titles along with 2 Champions League titles. 

Undeniably, Dhoni has redefined leadership in the Indian Premier League. His captaincy success is reflected not only in trophies but also in long-term consistency and team dominance.

Rohit Sharma — 5 titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)

Rohit Sharma has won six IPL titles (one with Deccan Chargers and 5 with Mumbai Indians) in his career, which is the most by any player in the history of the tournament. 

Since joining Mumbai Indians in 2011, he has etched his name into the history books by scripting some of its most glorious chapters. 

Leading from the front, he guided MI to five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), building a legacy defined by consistency and big-match temperament and making the franchise one of the most successful teams in the league.

Gautam Gambhir — 2 titles (2012, 2014)

In 2014, Gautam Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their second IPL title, orchestrating one of the most memorable comebacks in the tournament's history. Following their maiden triumph in 2012, this victory solidified Gambhir's legacy as one of the most astute and resilient captains in the IPL.

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A season later, after toppling defending champions to lift their maiden IPL title in 2012, KKR struggled at the start of the 2014 IPL season. However, Gambhir injected a new wave of confidence and motivation into the unit as KKR won all 9 of their games in the second half, ultimately winning the IPL 2014 title. 

Rajat Patidar — 2 titles (2025, 2026)

The current RCB skipper, Rajat Patidar, arrived as a replacement player in the 2024 season, and eventually inherited the captaincy of a dressing room that included Virat Kohli among its many world-class names. 

However, it took Patidar no time to establish remarkable authority in that environment, too, without international experience. 

Under his leadership, RCB won their maiden IPL trophy in the 2025 season. Not only that, they claimed a historic second consecutive title, defeating a consistent Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. 

With this, Patidar became only the third captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to win back-to-back titles, etching his name in the IPL record books. 

Shane Warne — 1 title (2008)

Under legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne, Rajasthan Royals claimed a historic victory in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. 

Despite entering the tournament as heavy underdogs with a low-budget squad, he led the team to the title, culminating in a dramatic 3-wicket win against the Chennai Super Kings in the final.

Adam Gilchrist — 1 title (2009)

After finishing last in the league stage of the IPL 2008, the Deccan Chargers witnessed one of the most remarkable transformations in the league’s history. Adam Gilchrist replaced V.V.S. Laxman as the full-time captain for the 2009 season. 

Led by a fearless Adam Gilchrist, whose aggressive captaincy inspired a complete culture shift, the Chargers won their maiden IPL trophy, defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 runs in the final at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 24, 2009. 

Notably, they secured the title by defending a paltry total of 143/6.

David Warner — 1 title (2016)

One of the most destructive openers across formats, David Warner captained SRH to their maiden IPL trophy in 2016. Warner led from the front, finishing the season as the second-highest run-scorer for them in their title-winning effort with a monumental 848 runs at a strike rate of 151.42.

Hardik Pandya — 1 title (2022)

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya won his first IPL trophy as a captain by leading the Gujarat Titans to the championship in their inaugural season in 2022. They defeated the Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Shreyas Iyer — 1 title (2024)

Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, KKR won their third championship in the 2024 Indian Premier League. The Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders dominated the tournament, securing an 8-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final.

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