Ranking the top 5 ODI captains of all time

The thrilling One-Day International (ODI) cricket format puts a captain's leadership, strategy, and decision-making skills when under pressure to the test. Besides guiding the side to wins, an exemplary ODI captain establishes a strong foundation for the future as well. Cricket's 50-over format has produced captains who have mixed tactical acumen, composure in crisis and, above all, winning ratios.

There are numerous ways to measure the greatest captain in the format. But here we determine the greatest 5 ODI captains of all time based on win percentage with a minimum of 50 games as captain. Though stats tell half the tale, it's their capacity to sense the game, support players in pressure situations and perform under stress that really puts them in the class of the ODI greats.

Here's our list of the top five ODI captains of all time—sorted by number of matches won, winning percentage and the trophies they returned with.

1. Clive Lloyd (West Indies)

Captaincy record: 84 ODIs | 64 wins | win % 76.19%

Lloyd didn't merely captain the West Indies, he constructed a dynasty. During his appointment in 1975 up to 1985, he led a side loaded with world-class ability and intimidating pace. Under his serene leadership, the Windies rushed to the inaugural two Cricket World Cups (1975, 1979) with a single loss in each tournament. Apart from the trophies, Lloyd's focus on a four-pronged pace battery and supporting youthful speedsters set the blueprint for ODI cricket. The team he assembled has been among the strongest force that the game of cricket has ever witnessed.

2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Captaincy record: 230 ODIs | 165 wins | win % 76.14%

Ponting was left a powerful side in 2002, but he carried it higher. In a decade in command, he won more ODIs as captain than anyone else with 165 from 230, and he lifted two World Cups (2003, 2007) and two Champions Trophies (2006, 2009). His daredevil field settings, support for big hitters such as Matthew Hayden, and his own ability to win matches through his batting leave Australia as the yardstick of limited-overs cricket.

3. Rohit Sharma (India) – 75.00 % win rate

Matches as captain: 56 | Wins: 42 | Win %: 75.00 %

Although relatively new to the captaincy (2017–present), Rohit has asserted his dominance with a 75 % win percentage in 56 ODIs. With him in charge, India has piled on massive totals at home and claimed series victories overseas too. The most conspicuous of the two has to be India's incredible streak at the 2023 World Cup and won the 2025 Champions Trophy during his captaincy. His composed batting anchor up top, complemented by astute deployment of pace‑spin mixtures,and strategic brilliance heralds a captaincy career that continues to soar.

4. Hansie Cronje (South Africa) – 73.70 % win rate

Matches as captain: 138 | Wins: 99 | Win %: 73.70 %

Between 1994 and 2000, Cronje changed South Africa from "chokers" to regular challengers. He took the Proteas to series victories against Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies, and was the brains behind a well-balanced side with both batting depth and a probing pace attack. His tactical adaptability and support for upcoming superstars like Jonty Rhodes and Allan Donald left a deep impression, even if the scandal that would taint his later years dulled subsequent appreciation of his achievements.

5. Virat Kohli (India) – 68.42 % win percentage

Matches as captain: 95 | Wins: 65 | Win %: 68.42 %

Kohli’s ODI captaincy (2013–2021) rewrote India’s approach to chases. Under him, India registered its highest successful run‑chase in ODIs (362 vs. Australia, 2018) and secured bilateral series wins in Australia (2018–19) and England (2018). His fierce intensity, combined with unwavering backing of young talent with Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the team, yielded a win rate second only to the legends above him.

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