by Cricket fans know the feeling. Your team reaches the final. The stadium is packed. Millions are watching. The pressure is unbearable.
And then your captain walks out to toss the coin.
That moment changes everything. A good captain stays calm. A great captain inspires the entire squad. The best captains make history.
The Indian Premier League has seen many captains over the years. Some won once and became legends.
Others built dynasties that lasted a decade. A few captains shocked the world with their fearless decisions. And some waited years before finally lifting the trophy.
But what separates a winning captain from the rest? Is it tactics? Is it luck? Or is it something deeper—like the ability to read pressure and turn it into power?
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 tells this story better than anything else.
It’s not just a list of names and years. It’s a collection of moments that made fans cry, scream, and celebrate like never before.
Think about the captains who trusted unknown players in big finals. Think about the ones who stayed calm when the match came down to the last ball.
Think about the leaders who brought their teams back from impossible situations.
Every captain on this list faced doubt. Every captain felt the weight of millions of fans. And every captain had to make decisions that could make or break their legacy.
IPL Winning Captains List 2008 to 2025
This article takes you through their journeys. You’ll see the captains who changed IPL history.
You’ll discover the moments that defined their leadership. And you’ll understand why some captains win trophies while others don’t.
Let’s dive into the stories behind the silverware.
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IPL Winning Captains List 2008 to 2025
Here’s the full ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 showing every winner, captain, and final highlight.
| Year | Winner | Captain | Final Score/Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | Shane Warne | Won by 23 runs; Yusuf Pathan’s heroics |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Adam Gilchrist | Won by 6 runs; Anil Kumble’s 4/16 |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 22 runs; Suresh Raina’s 57* |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 58 runs; Murali Vijay’s 95 |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Gautam Gambhir | Won by 5 wickets; Bisla’s surprise 89 |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 23 runs; Pollard’s power show |
| 2014 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Gautam Gambhir | Won by 3 wickets; Manish Pandey’s 94 |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 41 runs; Rohit’s own fifty |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | David Warner | Won by 8 runs; Ben Cutting’s cameo |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 1 run; Malinga’s legendary over |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 8 wickets; Watson’s stunning 117* |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 1 run; Bumrah’s magic spell |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Won by 5 wickets; Boult’s 3/30 |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won by 27 runs; Faf’s classy 86 |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Hardik Pandya | Won by 7 wickets; Hardik’s all-round brilliance |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Won via DLS; Dhoni’s tactical mastery |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Shreyas Iyer | Won by 8 wickets; Starc’s deadly bowling |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Rajat Patidar | Won by 6 runs; Krunal’s match-turning spell |
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Iconic Captain Moments (Photo-Caption Style)
Here are three moments that capture IPL captaincy at its best:
- Dhoni’s Calm Under Pressure
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 CSK is dominated by MS Dhoni’s name. Five titles prove that calm leadership wins championships. Whether it’s a rain-affected final or a last-ball thriller, Dhoni never loses his cool. His tactical genius and finishing ability make him CSK’s greatest captain ever.
- Rohit’s Winning Pull Shot
Rohit Sharma’s pull shot in the 2015 final is pure poetry. His fifty off just 26 balls destroyed the Chennai Super Kings and gave the Mumbai Indians their second title. Rohit’s captaincy philosophy is simple: stay composed, trust your instincts, and let your bat do the talking.
- Patidar’s Final Six (2025)
Rajat Patidar’s calm leadership in the 2025 final ended RCB’s painful 18-year wait. His composed captaincy, combined with Krunal Pandya’s bowling brilliance, created history. When the final ball was bowled and RCB won, Virat Kohli’s tears said everything. This was more than a trophy – it was redemption.
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Top Captain Moments — 8 Finals That Changed Everything
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 is packed with legendary moments. Here are the top 8 finals that defined IPL captaincy:
- 1. Shane Warne’s Fearless Gamble (2008)
Warne backed unknown players like Yusuf Pathan and showed the world that smart captaincy beats big budgets. RR’s 23-run victory over CSK shocked everyone. Warne’s leadership style was all about confidence and taking bold risks.
- 2. Dhoni’s Back-to-Back Brilliance (2010, 2011)
MS Dhoni led CSK to consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011. Suresh Raina’s explosive 57* in 2010 and Murali Vijay’s dominant 95 in 2011 showcased CSK’s power. Dhoni’s calm captaincy became the foundation of CSK’s golden era.
- 3. Gambhir’s Bisla Masterstroke (2012)
Gautam Gambhir promoted Manvinder Bisla to open in the 2012 final. Nobody expected it. Bisla smashed 89 runs and shocked the Chennai Super Kings. Gambhir’s fearless decision-making proved that bold captains win big trophies.
- 4. Rohit’s Heart-Stopping Wins (2017, 2019)
Rohit Sharma led MI to two nail-biting 1-run victories in the finals. In 2017, they beat Rising Pune Supergiant by the narrowest margin. In 2019, Lasith Malinga’s final over against CSK became an all-time classic. Rohit’s calm under pressure separates him from the rest.
- 5. Watson’s Unstoppable Century (2018)
MS Dhoni’s captaincy helped Shane Watson score an unbeaten 117 in the 2018 final. CSK chased down 179 with ease. This comeback after the two-year ban was complete. Dhoni showed the world that experience always matters.
- 6. Hardik’s Dream Debut (2022)
Hardik Pandya’s captaincy debut with the Gujarat Titans was magical. He scored 34 runs and grabbed 3 crucial wickets in the final. GT won the title in their very first IPL season—an achievement that will be remembered forever.
- 7. Shreyas Iyer’s Cool Head (2024)
Shreyas Iyer’s calm captaincy brought KKR their third IPL title. Mitchell Starc’s deadly bowling spell (2/14) destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Iyer’s smart bowling changes and composed leadership made all the difference.
- 8. Patidar’s Historic Breakthrough (2025)
Rajat Patidar ended RCB’s 18-year trophy drought with calm, calculated captaincy. Krunal Pandya’s bowling spell (just 3 runs in a crucial over) turned the final. The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 RCB finally has an entry, and RCB fans celebrated like never before.
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Captains by Trophy Count (Quick Visual)
Here’s a quick snapshot of the most ipl winning captains list ranked by trophies won.
| Captain | Trophies | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 5 | Chennai Super Kings |
| Rohit Sharma | 5 | Mumbai Indians |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Shane Warne | 1 | Rajasthan Royals |
| Adam Gilchrist | 1 | Deccan Chargers |
| David Warner | 1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Hardik Pandya | 1 | Gujarat Titans |
| Shreyas Iyer | 1 | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Rajat Patidar | 1 | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
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Fan Poll Box
Who Is the Greatest IPL Captain of All Time?
Cast your vote:
- Rohit Sharma — 5 titles, 83.3% win rate in finals, Mr. Consistent
- MS Dhoni — 5 titles, 9 finals, longest captaincy reign, Captain Cool
- Rajat Patidar — Ended RCB’s 18-year wait, the breakthrough hero
Vote now and share your thoughts in the comments below! 🏆💬
Tweetable: “Who is the GOAT IPL captain? Rohit or Dhoni? Vote now! #IPL #Captain #CricketDebate”
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How to Read the IPL Winning Captains List 2008 to 2025?
Here are three simple tips to make sense of the IPL captains list:
- Tip 1: Sort by Year
Start from 2008 and move forward year by year. You’ll notice how captaincy styles have evolved. Early years featured overseas captains like Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. Later years saw Indian captains like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni dominate.
- Tip 2: Look for Repeat Winners
Scan the list for captains who won multiple titles. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni each have 5 titles. Gautam Gambhir has 2. These captains built dynasties, not just one-time successes.
- Tip 3: Check the Final Margins
Some finals were incredibly close (1-run victories), while others were dominant wins (58-run margin). Close finals show captaincy under extreme pressure. Big wins show total team domination.
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Who Is the Best Captain in IPL 2025?
The best captain in IPL 2025 is undoubtedly Rajat Patidar. Here are three reasons why:
- Reason 1: He Ended the Longest Title Drought
RCB had never won the IPL trophy before 2025. After 18 years of heartbreak, Patidar’s calm leadership finally delivered the title. His composed approach under immense pressure was remarkable.
- Reason 2: Smart Tactical Decisions
Patidar’s decision to bring Krunal Pandya into the attack at a crucial moment was genius. Krunal bowled a match-turning over, conceding just 3 runs when Punjab Kings needed momentum. That one decision changed the entire final.
- Reason 3: He Trusted His Stars
When RCB lost early wickets, Patidar didn’t panic. He trusted Virat Kohli to steady the innings. Kohli responded with a composed 43 off 35 balls, giving RCB a competitive total. Great captains trust their players, and Patidar did exactly that.
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The IPL Team Captain List 2025
Here’s the complete IPL team captain list 2025, showing who led each franchise during the 2025 season.
| Team | 2025 Captain | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Rajat Patidar | Champions |
| Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 5-time winner |
| Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | 5-time winner |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Shreyas Iyer | Defending champions |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | Young leader |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | Explosive captain |
| Punjab Kings | Shikhar Dhawan | Runners-up |
| Delhi Capitals | Rishabh Pant | Comeback story |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | Overseas captain |
| Lucknow Super Giants | KL Rahul | Stylish leader |
Key Insight: Only 2 overseas captains led teams in 2025 (Pat Cummins from SRH). Indian captains clearly dominate IPL leadership roles.
Why Some Captains Win More Than Others?
Not every captain lifts the trophy. Here’s what separates winners from the rest:
- Stability Matters
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings kept the same captains for years. Rohit led MI from 2013 to 2020 without any changes. Dhoni led CSK from 2008 (except during the ban years) until 2023. This stability builds trust, chemistry, and long-term strategies.
- Player Management Is Key
Great captains know how to handle big egos and keep the dressing room united. Rohit managed superstars like Pollard, Pandya, and Bumrah. Dhoni handled Raina, Jadeja, and Watson with ease. Team harmony often decides championships.
- Clutch Moments Define Legends
In tight situations, winning captains stay calm and make smart decisions. Rohit’s 1-run victories in 2017 and 2019 prove his composure. Dhoni’s rain-affected DLS win in 2023 shows his tactical brilliance. These moments separate good captains from great ones.
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The IPL Winners List 2025 — RCB’s Moment of Glory
The IPL winners list 2025 finally features Royal Challengers Bangalore. After 18 long years of waiting, RCB lifted the trophy in an unforgettable final.
RCB scored 175/6 in their 20 overs. Punjab Kings needed 176 to win. They came close but fell short by just 6 runs.
Key Moments from the Final:
- Virat Kohli’s composed 43 off 35 balls anchored the RCB innings
- Krunal Pandya’s match-turning bowling spell (3 runs in a crucial over)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal defended brilliantly in the death overs
RCB’s victory proved that patience, belief, and the right leadership can break even the longest droughts.
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Final Thoughts:
The ipl winning captains list 2008 to 2025 tells a powerful story of leadership, pressure, and glory.
From Shane Warne’s fearless debut to MS Dhoni’s record five titles to Rajat Patidar’s emotional breakthrough, every captain brought something unique to the table.
IPL captaincy is about more than just tactics and team selection.
It’s about staying calm when millions are watching, making bold decisions under pressure, and inspiring your players to perform at their best.
Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni set the gold standard. Now, new captains like Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, and Rajat Patidar are building their own legacies.
