Team India is seemingly the biggest patron of the T20 format. Having acquired the first edition of the T20 World Cup, India is also host to IPL, the world’s best domestic T20 competition. Some of the world’s best T20 players also belong to India.
Much like the other nations, even Team India took its course in accustoming itself to this format. While there were apprehensions at the start, the squad did well in setting up a competent squad very swiftly. The credit must also go to the captains and the central figures involved in this revolution.
In this article, we take a glance at the players who have captained Team India in T20Is so far. As of December 1st, 2020, a total of six cricketers have led an Indian T20 squad on the field.
1. Virender Sehwag
Well, when T20 cricket began, one thing was for sure. No matter whom, Virender Sehwag was definitely going to be a crucial part of India’s squad. In line with this, Viru became the first man to lead Team India in the T20 format. The game took place in 2006, and this match was also the only match where the Delhi-opener was the team’s captain. India won this game, and therefore, Viru’s success-rate as a captain is 100%. Later on, Sehwag also led Delhi Daredevils in IPL.
2. MS Dhoni
Do we even need to remind you that MSD was the captain of the Indian Team? For a man who gave a new definition to captaincy and leadership, there is no need for an introduction. Although there were doubts when he was made the captain of the squad selected for the World Cup, with a splendid display of his skills, MSD made sure Team India started the T20 revolution on the best note. Captaining 72 games across his 9-year captaincy career, MS Dhoni won 41 games and lost 28 while one match was tied and two ended without a result. He has a win-rate of 59.28%, a brilliant number considering the high number of matches he has captained.
3. Suresh Raina
Although he was absent at the start, Suresh Raina then became an important part of the Indian T20 team. For a squad that was also going through a transition period at that time, Raina’s contribution was immense in the T20 format. The Uttar Pradesh-player captained Team India in three games spread across 2010 and 2011. His record is clean as the team won on each of the three occasions. However, it is unfortunate that Raina’s time in the Indian Team was cut short due to poor batting form.
4. Ajinkya Rahane
Although Rahane is branded and even segmented as a Test Match cricketer, the right-hander has also played a few limited-overs’ games for India. In fact, the Mumbaikar captained the T20 team on two occasions. Both the matches were held in 2015, and India could win only one of those two encounters. Rahane is currently the vice-captain of the Indian Test Team.
5. Virat Kohli
When MSD was nearing his retirement age, many were concerned as to who would take over the baton. Thanks to Virat, plenty of fans and followers were relieved of this worry. The current captain of the team, Virat has so far proved to be a worthy successor for Dhoni. The superstar batsman got his armband in 2017, and so far (as of December 1st, 2020), Virat has led India 37 times. While he won 22 games, 11 encounters came as a loss for Team India. There are two ties and two NR’s in Virat’s account too.
6. Rohit Sharma
Despite his incredible record in IPL, Rohit Sharma happens to be Virat’s deputy in the Indian Team. Whenever Virat chooses to not play a T20 game or a series, it is Rohit who steps up to take the leadership responsibilities. Just like his stats in IPL, Rohit’s captaincy numbers for Team India also look good. So far (as of December 1st, 2020), the Mumbai Indians skipper has captained India on 19 occasions and managed to come out victorious fifteen times. Well, with such an impeccable record, it is no wonder that many want him to replace Virat.