From Dhoni's calm presence to Ranatunga's grit, these skippers defined eras in the continent's most competitive tournament
As the Asia Cup 2025 returns to the UAE, all eyes are on Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead India for the first time in a multi-team tournament. The Asia Cup has always been more than a contest of bat and ball - it has been a test of captains. Under desert lights and roaring crowds, leadership is amplified.
Over the past four decades, many captains have left their mark, not just with results, but also with the way they led their teams through moments of pressure. Here are six skippers who have led the most matches in Asia Cup history.
The man with nerves of steel, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, tops the charts. From 2008 to 2018, Dhoni captained India in 14 Asia Cup matches. His record speaks volumes: nine wins, four defeats, and one tied game.
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Dhoni’s calm, tactical acumen gave India an edge in crucial moments, most memorably in the 2010 edition, when India defeated Sri Lanka to lift the trophy after a 15-year drought. Even in the twilight of his career, Dhoni returned in 2018 to lead one match, a reminder of the trust India placed in him.
If Dhoni was ice, Arjuna Ranatunga was fire. The World Cup-winning captain from Sri Lanka led his team in 13 Asia Cup matches, winning nine.
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Ranatunga’s leadership was about more than just results — it was about grit. He took charge at a time when Sri Lanka was still forging its cricketing identity. Under his guidance, they stood toe-to-toe with India and PAK, no longer regarded as the minnows of Asian cricket.
Between 2018 and 2023, Rohit Sharma became India’s most successful modern-day Asia Cup leader. In just 11 games as captain, Rohit won nine, lost one, and achieved an impressive win rate of over 81%.
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Under his leadership, India lifted the trophy in 2018 with a thrilling victory over Bangladesh, and again in 2023, defeating Sri Lanka by ten wickets in the final. Rohit’s ability to combine tactical insight with effortless batting consistency made him the cornerstone of India’s recent dominance.
The silk-smooth Mahela Jayawardene captained Sri Lanka in 10 Asia Cup matches between 2004 and 2012. Although he won six, one victory stands out: the 2008 final in Karachi, where his tactical decision to unleash mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis dismantled India.
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Jayawardene’s leadership was cerebral, much like his batting — graceful, composed, yet ruthless when it mattered.
For PAK, Misbah-ul-Haq remains one of the most reliable leaders. Across 10 Asia Cup matches from 2008 to 2014, he led Pakistan to seven victories, achieving a win rate of 70%.
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Misbah’s strength was his ability to anchor chaos. While Pakistan’s cricket often depended on unpredictability, Misbah’s calmness steadied the team, helping Pakistan stay competitive in a tournament usually dominated by India and Sri Lanka.
Before Dhoni and Rohit, there was Sourav Ganguly. Between 2000 and 2004, Ganguly captained India in nine Asia Cup matches, winning four of them. His win percentage of 44.44% may not be impressive, but his influence was significantly greater.
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Ganguly’s leadership was about instilling self-belief. He gave India an aggressive edge, refusing to bow to PAK or Sri Lanka. In many ways, he laid the foundation for the confidence that future Indian captains built upon.
