ODI Captains

In cricket, One Day International (ODI) matches are still popular even after the introduction of T20 cricket. Earlier when people started getting bored with 5-day Test matches and sometimes even after playing for 5 days, the match would end in a tame draw. That was the time ODI cricket infused fresh air in cricket in the early ’70s. Fans were very happy that in one day the match will be over and there would be definite results also. In ODIs, as compared to Test matches, Captain’s role became very crucial, as he had to use his resources in the allotted overs, whether batting or bowling. As while batting his team had to score maximum runs in the allotted overs, and while bowling his bowlers had to bowl and get the wickets of batsmen or restrict the flow of runs, so that the opposing team’s total score is kept under check.

Here is the list of the most successful ODI Captains:

At No. 18 is Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh- He captained the team for 88 matches, Won-50, Lost-36, Tied-0, No Result (NR)-2. Win%- 58.13.

At No. 17 is Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka.  Matches-118, Won- 66, Lost-47, Tied-2, NR-3. Win%-58.26

At No. 16 is Mahila Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. Matches-129, Won-71, Lost-49, Tied-1, NR-7. Win%- 59.0%

At No. 15 is  Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India. Matches-200, Won-110, Lost-74, Tied -5, NR-11. Win%- 59.53.

At No. 14 is AB De Villiers of South Africa. Matches-103, Won-59, Lost-36, Tied-1, NR-4. Win%- 60.10

At No. 13 is Inzamam ul Haq of Pakistan. Matches-90, Won-52, Lost-34, Tied-0, NR-4. Win%- 60.45.

At No. 12 is  Wasim Akram of Pakistan- Matches-109, Won-66, Lost-42, Tied-2, NR-0. Win%- 61.46

At No. 11 is Allan Border of Australia. Matches-178, won-107, Lost-67, Tied-1, NR-3. Win%-61.52.

At No. 10 is Shaun Pollock of South Africa. Matches-97, Won-60, Lost-33, Tied-3, NR-1. Win%- 64.06.

At No. 9 is Graeme Smith of South Africa. Matches-150, Won-92, Lost-51, Tied-1, NR-6. Win%-64.23.

At No. 8 is Vivian Richards of the West Indies. Matches-105, Won-67, Lost-36, Tied-0, NR-2. Win%-65.04.

At No. 7 is Steve Waugh of Australia. Matches-106, Won-67, Lost-35, Tied-3, NR-1. Win%-65.23.

At No. 6  is Eoin Morgon of England. Matches-126, Won-76, Lost-40, Tied-2, NR-8. Win%-65.25.

At No. 5 is  Michael Clark of Australia. Matches-74, Won-50, Lost-21, Tied-0, NR-3. Win%-70.42.

At No. 4 is Virat Kohli of India. Matches-95, Won-65, Lost-27, Tied-1, NR-2. Win%-70.73.

At No. 3 is  Hansie Cronje of South Africa. Matches-138, Won-99, Lost-35, Tied-1, NR-3.Win%- 73.70.

At No. 2 is Ricky Ponting of Australia. Matches-230, Won-165, Lost-51, Tied-2, NR-12. Win%-76.14.

At No. 1 is Clive Lloyd of the West Indies. Matches-84, Won-64, Lost-18, Tied-1, NR-1. Win%- 77.71.

You will notice from above, that in the list of top 18 ODI Captains, there are 4  from Australia, 4 from South Africa, 2 from India, 2 from Pakistan, 2 from Sri Lanka, 2 from West Indies, 1 from England, and 1 from Bangladesh. The captain from one major team that is missing from this list is from New Zealand.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

7^th October 2022.