by Every IPL season, fans ask the same questions.
Who will win this year? Which team has the best squad? And most importantly, does the captain really make that big a difference?
The answer is yes. In fact, captaincy might be the most important factor in IPL success.
A great squad without a great captain often falls short. But a smart captain with a balanced squad can win against all odds. IPL history proves this again and again.
Think about the teams that dominated the league. They didn’t always have the biggest names.
They didn’t always spend the most money in auctions. But they always had one thing in common—a captain who knew how to handle pressure.
Some captains stay calm when the scoreboard is flashing red. Some make bold decisions that shock everyone.
Some trust young players when experience seems safer. And some just have that magic touch that turns average teams into champions.
But here’s the interesting part. Not all winning captains are the same. Some are aggressive. Some are defensive.
Some lead from the front with the bat or ball. Others lead from behind, letting their players shine.
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 reveals all these different styles. It shows how captaincy has evolved over 18 seasons.
It highlights the leaders who built legacies and the moments that made them legends.
IPL Winning Captains List 2008 to 2025
This article breaks down every winning captain from 2008 to 2025. You’ll see their tactics, their personalities, and their most iconic decisions.
You’ll understand why some captains win multiple titles while others win just once.
Ready to see who made history? Let’s get started.
IPL Winning Captains List 2008 to 2025
Here’s the full ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 with winners, captains, margins, and venues.
| Year | Winner | Captain | Final Margin/Result | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | Shane Warne | Won by 23 runs | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Adam Gilchrist | Won by 6 runs | Newlands, Cape Town |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 22 runs | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 58 runs | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Gautam Gambhir | Won by 5 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 23 runs | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 2014 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Gautam Gambhir | Won by 3 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 41 runs | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | David Warner | Won by 8 runs | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 1 run | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 8 wickets | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 1 run | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 5 wickets | Dubai International Stadium |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 27 runs | Dubai International Stadium |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Hardik Pandya | Won by 7 wickets | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won via DLS method | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Shreyas Iyer | Won by 8 wickets | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Rajat Patidar | Won by 6 runs | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
Era 1: The Foundation Years (2008–2012)
Shane Warne — The Original Magician (2008)
Shane Warne didn’t just captain Rajasthan Royals. He built a team from scratch. No big names. No superstars. Just fearless youngsters and smart cricket.
Warne led from the front. His leg-spin, his field placements, and his belief in unknowns like Yusuf Pathan turned RR into champions. The 2008 final against CSK was a masterclass in pressure management.
Big Moments from 2008–2012:
- Yusuf Pathan’s 56 and 3/22 in the 2008 final sealed RR’s win.
- MS Dhoni’s back-to-back titles (2010, 2011) set CSK’s dynasty in motion.
Adam Gilchrist — The Explosive Leader (2009)
Gilchrist’s captaincy with Deccan Chargers was all about aggression. He led from the top, smashing bowlers and setting fearless tones. DC’s 2009 win in Cape Town shocked everyone. They beat RCB in a low-scoring thriller.
Gilchrist proved that captains don’t always need calm personalities. Sometimes, raw energy wins trophies.
MS Dhoni — The Master Tactician (2010, 2011)
Dhoni’s CSK era began in 2010. His captaincy was all about experience, smart bowling changes, and knowing when to trust instinct over data.
In 2010, Suresh Raina’s 57* destroyed MI in the final. In 2011, Murali Vijay’s 95 crushed RCB. Dhoni’s calmness under pressure became CSK’s identity.
“Dhoni’s calmness wins games.”
Gautam Gambhir — The Fearless Fighter (2012)
Gambhir’s captaincy with KKR was bold and fearless. He backed Manvinder Bisla in the 2012 final when no one expected it. Bisla’s 89 shocked CSK and gave KKR their first title.
Gambhir’s no-nonsense attitude and hunger to win set KKR apart. He didn’t care about reputations. He cared about results.
Era 2: The Rohit Sharma Dynasty (2013–2019)
Rohit Sharma — The Cool Captain (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Rohit’s captaincy journey started in 2013. The Mumbai Indians had talent but no titles. Rohit changed that. His calm demeanor, smart bowling changes, and ability to read the game made MI unbeatable in the finals.
Key Rohit Moments:
- 2013: Kieron Pollard’s 60* destroyed CSK.
- 2015: Rohit’s own 50 in the final crushed CSK again.
- 2017: MI won by just 1 run against Rising Pune Supergiant. Rohit’s nerves of steel showed.
- 2019: Another 1-run win. Lasith Malinga’s final over became legendary.
Rohit’s five titles make him one of the greatest IPL captains ever. His style is simple: trust your players, stay calm, and deliver when it matters.
David Warner — The Aggressive Aussie (2016)
Warner’s captaincy with Sunrisers Hyderabad was pure aggression. He led from the front with the bat and inspired his bowlers to take risks. SRH’s 2016 win over RCB was built on Warner’s fearless leadership.
Ben Cutting’s cameo in the final and Warner’s consistent run-scoring throughout the season made SRH champions.
Era 3: New Winners, New Stories (2020–2025)
Rohit Sharma — The Fifth Title (2020)
Rohit added a fifth title in 2020, held in the UAE. Trent Boult’s 3/30 in the final destroyed the Delhi Capitals. MI’s dominance continued.
But after 2020, the IPL saw fresh faces lift the trophy.
MS Dhoni — The Comeback King (2021, 2023)
Dhoni’s CSK returned after the 2020 ban. In 2021, they won their fourth title. Faf du Plessis’ 86 in the final and Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round show sealed the win against KKR.
In 2023, Dhoni led CSK to their fifth title. Rain interrupted the final, and CSK won via the DLS method against the Gujarat Titans. At 42 years old, Dhoni proved that age is just a number.
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 CSK is dominated by Dhoni. His five titles make him a CSK legend forever.
Hardik Pandya — The Debut Champion (2022)
Hardik’s captaincy debut with the Gujarat Titans was historic. GT won the title in their very first season. Hardik’s all-round performance in the final (3/17 and 34 runs) made him the Man of the Match.
Hardik’s leadership style is bold and fearless. He backs young players and takes risks. GT’s 2022 win proved that fresh franchises can win quickly with the right captain.
Shreyas Iyer — The Calm Strategist (2024)
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy brought KKR their third title in 2024. His calm leadership and smart bowling changes made the difference. Mitchell Starc’s 2/14 in the final destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Iyer’s ability to stay composed under pressure made him one of the best young captains in IPL.
Rajat Patidar — The Breakthrough Hero (2025)
The best captain in IPL 2025 was Rajat Patidar. He led RCB to their first-ever title after 18 years of waiting. The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 RCB finally has an entry.
Patidar’s captaincy was calm and calculated. In the final against the Punjab Kings, RCB won by just 6 runs.
Krunal Pandya’s bowling spell (3 runs conceded in a crucial over) turned the game. Virat Kohli’s 43 off 35 balls anchored the innings.
Patidar’s win proved that patience and belief can break even the longest droughts.
Captains Who Lifted the Cup — Full Profiles
Here are the profiles of every captain who lifted the IPL trophy. These are the leaders who made history.
Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals, 2008)
- Leadership Style: Bold, fearless, backed unknowns.
- Key Final Moment: Yusuf Pathan’s all-round show won RR the title.
- Legacy: Proved that smart captaincy beats big budgets.
Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers, 2009)
- Leadership Style: Aggressive, led from the front with the bat.
- Key Final Moment: Anil Kumble’s 4/16 restricted RCB to a low total.
- Legacy: Showed that explosive captains can win titles.
MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
- Leadership Style: Calm, tactical, master of reading the game.
- Key Final Moment: Suresh Raina’s 57* in 2010 crushed MI.
- Legacy: Five titles, CSK’s greatest captain, unmatched consistency.
Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2012, 2014)
- Leadership Style: Fearless, no-nonsense, backed young players.
- Key Final Moment: Manvinder Bisla’s 89 shocked CSK in 2012.
- Legacy: Two titles, KKR’s most successful captain.
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)
- Leadership Style: Cool, composed, smart bowling changes.
- Key Final Moment: Lasith Malinga’s final over in 2019 became legendary.
- Legacy: Five titles, MI’s dynasty builder, greatest IPL captain.
David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2016)
- Leadership Style: Aggressive, led from the front with the bat.
- Key Final Moment: Ben Cutting’s all-round show sealed the win.
- Legacy: SRH’s only title, Warner’s fearless captaincy inspired the team.
Hardik Pandya (Gujarat Titans, 2022)
- Leadership Style: Bold, fearless, backs young players.
- Key Final Moment: Hardik’s 3/17 and 34 runs won the final.
- Legacy: Won the title in GT’s debut season, a historic achievement.
Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024)
- Leadership Style: Calm, strategic, smart decision-maker.
- Key Final Moment: Mitchell Starc’s 2/14 destroyed SRH.
- Legacy: Brought KKR their third title with composed leadership.
Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2025)
- Leadership Style: Calm, calculated, patient under pressure.
- Key Final Moment: Krunal Pandya’s bowling spell (3 runs in a crucial over).
- Legacy: Ended RCB’s 18-year wait, first-ever title for RCB.
Captain Stats Summary
Here’s a quick look at the most ipl winning captains list and their achievements.
| Captain | Titles | Years Won | Notable Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 5 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 | Oldest winning captain at 42 (2023) |
| Rohit Sharma | 5 | 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 | Most titles by any captain |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2 | 2012, 2014 | Fearless leader, backed young players |
| Shane Warne | 1 | 2008 | First-ever IPL winning captain |
| Adam Gilchrist | 1 | 2009 | Explosive batting captain |
| David Warner | 1 | 2016 | Led SRH to their only title |
| Hardik Pandya | 1 | 2022 | Won in GT’s debut season |
| Shreyas Iyer | 1 | 2024 | Youngest captain in recent years |
| Rajat Patidar | 1 | 2025 | Ended RCB’s 18-year title drought |
5 Tactical Reasons Why These Captains Win
What separates winning captains from the rest? Here are five key reasons:
- 1. Smart Bowling Changes: Captains like Dhoni and Rohit know when to bring in a surprise bowler. One wrong over can cost the game. One smart change can win it.
- 2. Player Management: Winning captains trust their players. Gambhir backed Bisla. Hardik backed young GT players. Trust builds confidence.
- 3. Clutch Decision-Making: In tight moments, winning captains stay calm. Rohit’s 1-run wins in 2017 and 2019 prove this. Panic loses games. Calmness wins them.
- 4. Using Pinch-Hitters: Captains who use pinch-hitters smartly change the game’s momentum. Warner, Hardik, and Rohit all used this tactic to perfection.
- 5. Adapting to Conditions: Every stadium is different. Every pitch behaves differently. Winning captains adapt quickly. Dhoni’s ability to read pitches is legendary.
FAQs
- Q1: Who has the most IPL titles as captain?
MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma — both have 5 titles each.
- Q2: Which CSK captain won the most titles?
MS Dhoni is the only CSK captain to win titles. The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 CSK has Dhoni’s name five times.
- Q3: Who is the youngest IPL winning captain?
Hardik Pandya was 28 when he won in 2022. Shreyas Iyer was 29 in 2024.
Conclusion:
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 is a journey through pressure, passion, and unforgettable moments.
From Warne’s magic to Dhoni’s calmness to Rohit’s dominance to Patidar’s breakthrough, every captain brought something unique.
These captains didn’t just win trophies. They inspired millions, built legacies, and changed the way we see cricket leadership.
IPL captaincy is about more than tactics. It’s about handling egos, staying calm in chaos, and delivering when millions are watching.
Which captain’s story inspires you the most? Drop your answer in the comments! 🏆🔥
