In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, where every decision can change the course of a match, leadership plays a pivotal role in guiding teams to glory. Some captains have excelled time and again, guiding their teams to multiple trophies. They have stood out not just for their tactical brilliance but also for their composure under pressure.
4. Shoaib Malik: 5 Titles
- Titles Won as Captain: 5x National T20 Cup (Sialkot Stallions)
- Nationality: Pakistan
- Playing Role: All Rounder
Shoaib Malik is a brutal force for T20 cricket, possessing the ability to play anywhere. In 2020, he became the first Pakistani player to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket. His longevity is also a trait many admire; he has the longest international career span for Pakistan. Despite his inclusion on this list, his captaincy of Pakistan was unimaginative and damaged the player’s reputation.
3. Sam Billings: 5 Titles
- Titles Won as Captain: 3x Men’s Hundred (Oval Invincibles), 1x ILT20 (Dubai Capitals), 1x T20 Blast (Kent Spitfires)
- Nationality: England
- Playing Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
Sam Billings enters the elite club after guiding the Oval Invincibles to their third consecutive the Hundred trophy on Sunday. In 2021, Billings led Kent Spitfires to their first trophy in 14 years.
2. Rohit Sharma: 8 Titles
- Titles Won as Captain: 5x IPL (Mumbai Indians), 2x Champions League T20 (Mumbai Indians), 1x T20 World Cup (India)
- Nationality: India
- Playing Role: Top order Batter
His captaincy of arguably the most formidable league team in the first age of T20, the Mumbai Indians, won plaudits. He proved himself to be a methodical and calm leader and currently even captains the Indian Men’s ODI side.
He has led India to the most wins in T20Is and emulated his own success in his final tournament as captain and leading the Men in Blue to the T20 World Cup 2024 title. Following the tournament, he announced his retirement from T20Is.
1. MS Dhoni: 9 Titles
- Titles Won as Captain: 5x IPL (Chennai Super Kings), 2x Champions League T20 (Chennai Super Kings), 1x T20 World Cup (India), 1x Asia Cup (India)
- Nationality: India
- Playing Role: Top order Batter
Dhoni’s track record as captain earned him the title “Captain Cool”, with his ability to perform under pressure and make decisive decisions. He led the Indian team to the inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007.
His captaincy for Team India in T20Is lasted for 72 matches, marking the lengthiest stint as an Indian T20 captain. He also stands as the oldest captain in IPL history. Dhoni captained CSK to 128 wins from 212 matches as well as five titles before stepping down.
Honorable Mentions
- Dwayne Bravo (4 Titles): 4x CPL (2x Trinbago Knight Riders, 1x St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, 1x Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel)
- Imran Nazir (4 Titles): 4x National T20 Cup (3x Sialkot Stallions, 1x Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited)
- Mashrafe Mortaza (4 Titles): 4x Bangladesh Premier League (2x Dhaka Gladiators, 1x Comilla Victorians, 1x Rangpur Riders)
- Thisara Perera (4 Titles): 3x Lanka Premier League (1x Jaffna Stallions, 2x Jaffna Kings), T20 Title (Sri Lanka Army team)
- Ramesh Satheesan (4 Titles): 1x Sofia T20 (Romania), 2x Continental Cup (Romania), 1x Valletta Cup (Romania)
Conclusion
Winning a T20 title is never easy, but doing it multiple times as captain is a true mark of greatness. These players have led from the front, stayed calm in pressure moments, and turned their teams into champions. Their records highlight the value of leadership in T20 cricket and set a benchmark for the next generation of captains.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
