![Shreyas Iyer joins an elusive captaincy list [Source: AFP, AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1779012470245_ShreyasIyerjoinsanelusivecaptaincylist.jpg?type=hq)
Shreyas Iyer joins an elusive captaincy list [Source: AFP, AP]
Captaincy in the IPL is the most difficult task, as all eyes are on the leader of the side, and one bad mistake could invite scrutiny. There are many captains who have carved out a name for themselves in the IPL by winning the coveted trophy, while others have crumbled under pressure.
Some captains have led their IPL teams in over 100 matches, while others have not even finished half a season before being replaced. Only the best in the business go on to have a successful career as an IPL captain, and in this list, we take a look at IPL players who have captained the most matches in the tournament.
1) MS Dhoni (235 matches)
Arguably one of the greatest captains in IPL history, MS Dhoni became the leader of the Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural season, and since then, he has gone on to capture five IPL trophies with the franchise.
He also led the Rising Pune Supergiants in the 2016 IPL edition, but that stint wasn’t successful as he was removed from the post by the team owner. However, despite one failure, MSD is considered one of the most successful leaders, having won 5 trophies and reached numerous IPL finals.
In 235 games as captain in the IPL, MS Dhoni has won 136 matches, lost 97 games, and has win percentage of 57.87.
2) Rohit Sharma (158 matches)
Alongside MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma has been one of the best IPL skippers. He was appointed as the leader of the Mumbai Indians midway through the 2013 season, and the Indian star had an immediate impact, helping MI win their maiden IPL title.
Apart from 2013, he led MI to four other IPL championships (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020). He was removed from the IPL captaincy ahead of the 2024 season, and Rohit finished his captaincy journey with 87 wins and 67 losses, and win percentage of 55.06.
3) Virat Kohli (143 matches)
It was in the 2013 season that RCB trusted a young Virat Kohli to lead the franchise, and he led them for the next 9 years. Unlike others on the list, Kohli’s tenure wasn’t the most successful one, but he did manage to help the side reach the IPL 2016 finals, and multiple playoffs.
The Indian great finished his captaincy tenure with 66 wins in 143 matches, and a win percentage of 46.15.
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4) Gautam Gambhir (129 matches)
The third most successful IPL captain after MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir came into the KKR side when the team was struggling for wins. However, he transformed the Kolkata side, and made them a winning force.
Under his tenure, KKR won two IPL titles (2012, 2024), and also reached multiple playoffs. When Gambhir stepped away from KKR’s captaincy role, he had a win percentage of 55.03 by winning 71 matches, and losing 57 games.
5) Shreyas Iyer (100 matches*)
The latest entrant in the list of most matches as captain in IPL is Punjab Kings’ leader, Shreyas Iyer. He started his captaincy journey with Delhi Capitals, and then he switched to KKR, where he helped the team win its third IPL title.
Under his tenure, DC reached the IPL 2020 finals, but lost to Mumbai Indians. In 2025, Iyer joined Punjab Kings, and in his maiden season as their captain, the Indian batter helped them reach the finals.
In 100 matches as IPL captain, Iyer has won 54 matches, with a win percentage of 54.54.
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