In the Indian Premier League (IPL), MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, renowned for their success as captains, also feature among those who have lost the most matches in IPL history. Below is a list of captains with the highest number of losses.
Here is the list of IPL captains who have incurred the most losses in the history of the Indian Premier League. Take note of the number of matches they have lost.
Read More: IPL 2024: DC vs KKR – Match Preview, Prediction, Team News and Fantasy XI
Top 5 Captains With Most Losses in IPL
5. David Warner – 41
David Warner, ranked fifth among IPL captains with the most losses in IPL history, has led teams in 83 matches, suffering defeat in 41 of them, which translates to a loss percentage of 49.39 Notably, Warner stands out as the most successful overseas batsman in the IPL.
His journey in the league began with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2009, where he swiftly rose to prominence before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. Warner assumed the role of captain in 2015 and guided the team to victory in 2016. However, his career faced a setback in 2018 due to his involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, resulting in a ban from the league.
Despite the controversy, Warner’s on-field performances have been exemplary. He has consistently surpassed the 500-run mark in seven IPL seasons, an achievement unmatched by any other batsman, with six of those seasons consecutively. Additionally, he has claimed the Orange Cap three times, in 2015, 2017, and 2019, a feat that remains unparalleled, and holds the record for the most half-centuries in the IPL.
However, Warner’s tenure with Sunrisers Hyderabad soured in 2021, leading to his departure and subsequent acquisition by Delhi Capitals in 2022.
4. Gautam Gambhir – 57
Number 4 on the list is Gautam Gambhir. Having captained in 129 IPL matches, Gambhir experienced defeat in 57 of them while representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals).
Gautam Gambhir, an iconic figure in Indian cricket, showcased his prowess as a versatile batsman between 2008 and the 2011 World Cup, excelling across all three formats. Renowned for his aggressive style, he could also display resilience akin to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman when the situation demanded, while also accumulating runs with a steadiness reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar in his later years.
Despite facing technical challenges at times, Gambhir’s impact on Indian cricket was undeniable, amassing over 10,000 runs in international cricket and playing crucial innings in World Cup finals. Additionally, his leadership role in guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles further solidified his legacy as a significant contributor to Indian cricket.
3. Rohit Sharma – 67
Ranked third on the list is Rohit Sharma, having lost in 67 IPL matches as a captain out of the 158 matches. Mumbai Indians have clinched five titles under his leadership.
Rohit Sharma holds the distinction of winning six IPL titles, one with Deccan Chargers and five as captain of Mumbai Indians (MI), making him one of the most successful captains in IPL history. Joining Mumbai Indians in 2011, he assumed the captaincy role in 2013.
Under his leadership, MI secured their maiden IPL title in his debut season as captain, and he continued to lead the team for 11 years until he was succeeded by Hardik Pandya for the 2024 season.
Rohit stands out as MI’s leading run-scorer and is among the four players to have amassed over 6000 runs in the IPL. His solitary century, an unbeaten 109 against Kolkata Knight Riders, was achieved in IPL 2012. Notably, his most prolific IPL season with the bat was in 2013, where he amassed 538 runs during MI’s title-winning campaign.
In 2015, Rohit was named the Player of the Final as Mumbai Indians triumphed over Chennai Super Kings to secure their second IPL title. Under Rohit’s captaincy, MI emerged victorious in the IPL in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
2. Virat Kohli – 70
Ranked second on the list is Virat Kohli, who has captained in 143 IPL matches and experienced defeat in 70 of them.
Virat Kohli, a pivotal figure for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), recently relinquished his captaincy to Faf du Plessis in the IPL. Despite his indispensable role in the team, Kohli stepped down from the captaincy due to his less-than-ideal record. His 70 losses in the IPL place him second on the list of captains with the most losses.
Kohli stands out as the only player in the IPL to have represented a single team throughout all seasons, namely Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His journey with RCB began soon after he led India to victory in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, and he has remained with the franchise since then. Kohli holds the distinction of being the IPL’s highest run-scorer, tallying 7263 runs before the commencement of the 2024 season.
Among his numerous records, Kohli boasts the most IPL centuries (7) and the record for the most runs in a single season (973 runs in 2016). He has clinched the Orange Cap once, in the 2016 season. Kohli served as RCB’s full-time captain from 2013 to 2021 and guided the team to the final in the 2016 season, albeit ending in defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His partnerships with AB de Villiers (3123 runs) and Chris Gayle (2787 runs) stand as the most prolific in IPL history. Despite RCB’s lack of an IPL title, Kohli’s immense popularity has contributed to making the team one of the most followed franchises in the league.
1. MS Dhoni – 91
Topping the list is MS Dhoni, renowned as the most successful IPL captain, having secured five titles and leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to the IPL finals the most times. Remarkably, despite his immense success, he also holds the record for the most losses in IPL history with 91 losses out of 226 matches as a captain.
MS Dhoni’s leadership extends beyond his achievements with the Indian team, as he has carved a legendary status in the yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Known as CSK’s “Thala” (leader), Dhoni steered the franchise to ten finals in their initial 14 IPL seasons, claiming five titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Under his guidance, CSK consistently reached the playoffs in 12 editions, establishing themselves as the most consistent team in the IPL. In a surprising move just before the commencement of the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, with Ruturaj Gaikwad succeeding him.
Having been acquired by CSK at the inaugural IPL auction in 2008, Dhoni, apart from a few games in 2022, has served as their captain throughout. His tenure as captain surpasses that of any other player in IPL history. The only instances where Dhoni played for another team in the IPL were during CSK’s suspension for two years (2016 and 2017) due to corruption charges, when he represented Rising Pune Super Giant(s). Notably, Dhoni’s standout season with the bat was in 2018, where he amassed 455 runs at an astounding average of 75.83 and a strike rate of 150.66, leading CSK to the title in their comeback season following the suspension.
Dhoni achieved the milestone of playing 250 matches in the IPL in 2023, four years after bidding farewell to international cricket. Although he had resigned as CSK captain ahead of IPL 2022, he reassumed the role after his successor, Ravindra Jadeja, stepped down midway through the season. Dhoni guided the team to yet another title in 2023 before relinquishing the captaincy once again the following year.
