Recently, former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu ranked Indian cricket captains in a blind challenge. He put MS Dhoni at number one and Virat Kohli at number five.
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The ranking started with Sourav Ganguly, the Prince of Kolkata. Rayudu paused before putting him at number three. Then came Kapil Dev, who won the 1983 World Cup for India. Rayudu put him at number four.
When Rohit Sharma’s name came up, Rayudu put him at number two. Rayudu played a lot with Sharma for MI and India. According to Rayudu, Sharma is the second best Indian captain in ICC trophies.
Then came Virat Kohli. Rayudu put him at number five, saying Kohli might be in the top two in Test cricket but overall he would be at number five. After Dhoni’s era, India went through another transition under Kohli who led with intensity.
In his seven years as captain, India didn’t win any ICC trophies. But India under Kohli made fans excited with their brand of cricket. With Ravi Shastri as coach, the team’s attitude towards cricket changed, especially in Tests.
The Indian team driven by fitness and winning mentality was a big part of his captaincy. There were many firsts under Kohli but India’s rise in Test cricket was remarkable. Under Kohli India was number one in ICC Test rankings for 42 months from October 2016 to March 2020. Kohli led India in 213 matches, won 135, lost 60, 11 draws.
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Mohammad Azharuddin was next and Rayudu put him at number six. That left the top spot for MS Dhoni whom Rayudu put at number one with a smile. They have a long history together, especially at CSK and Rayudu has often praised Dhoni.
Under Dhoni India played 332 matches, won 178, lost 120, 15 draws. Known for his calm demeanor, Dhoni led India to victory in 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy. Under Dhoni India also beat Australia in 2012/13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Rayudu’s final ranking: (1) MS Dhoni, (2) Rohit Sharma, (3) Sourav Ganguly, (4) Kapil Dev, (5) Virat Kohli, (6) Mohammad Azharuddin.
