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In the history of the game, out of all three formats, ODI cricket can be called as the most successful format. The ODI World Cup (formerly World Championship) is the most successful tournament the game has witnessed. ODI cricket began in 1971 with 40 8-ball overs per side game between England and Australia at the MCG. But, later on, 60 overs game was made official for over a decade, but now it has been uniformly fixed to 50 overs.
Like in any other sport, captain plays an integral part in the team. From setting tactical fielding positions to making impactful bowling changes, the captain has the final call. Moreover, scoring runs or taking wickets as a captain will always boost up the confidence of the side. Over the years, many captains have made impactful performances and set an example for the team.
Imagine a hypothetical playing XI consisting of such ODI captains who lead their team from the front. As a point to be noted, this XI contains those captains who flourished their careers during their captainship tenure.
Top Order
1.Sanath Jayasuriya
This Sri Lankan veteran all-rounder who started his career as a slow left-arm spinner became one of the most attacking openers of all time. He scored 4364 runs in 117 innings as a captain and took 92 wickets. He led the Sri Lankan Cricket team from 1999-2003.
2. Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming is the second most capped ODI captain after Ricky Ponting. In his 217 matches as the Kiwi captain, he scored 6295 runs with 7 centuries and 38 fifties. He contributed to New Zealand's some of the most famous ODI victories of all time.
3. Ricky Ponting
The captain of the captains! The most captain with the most victories in ODIs has led Australia to 165 victories off the 230 matches. He has also scored most runs as a captain in ODIs, scoring 8491 runs in 220 innings with 22 centuries and 51 fifties.
Middle Order:
4. Sourav Ganguly
Taking the responsibility of Indian team after the infamous match-fixing saga is what makes Sourav in this list above Arjuna Ranatunga. Dada was the, then, most successful Indian captain. He led India to many historic victories overseas during his captainship from the post-1999 to early 2005. India won the Natwest trophy 2002, Champions Trophy 2002, and was the runner-up at the CWC 2003. He scored 5104 runs in 147 innings with 11 centuries.
5. Clive Lloyd
He might not have scored many runs as a captain, but the impact he made on World cricket was phenomenal. He has the joint best win percentage in ODIs (minimum 50 matches), winning 77% of the matches. As an attacking batsman, he led WI to the World Cup 1975 & 1979.
6. AB de Villiers
The Mr. 360° of cricket is the best finisher any team can ever opt for. As a batsman, he has won many matches for his team single-handedly. He has the second-best batting average as a captain in OD Is scoring 4796 runs in 103 matches with an average of 64.
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (WK)
MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain ever. He is also the second highest run scorer as a captain in ODIs. Definitely, the best wicket-keeper the game has been gifted. He has led India in 199 OD Is, winning 110 of those. He has also the second most ODI victories under his collar. 6633 runs in 171 innings make him the best option for number 7.
Lower Order:
8. Kapil Dev
Although featuring here as a bowling all-rounder, Kapil Dev's 175 runs against strong Zimbabwe bowling line-up is the best knock ever in ODI history. He led India in 74 matches and took 91 wickets. He is undoubtedly the best all-rounder ever. He became the second captain to win a world cup, beating West Indies in the final of 1983 CWC.
9. Imran Khan
Along with Kapil Dev, his companion in the fab-4 of 1980s, Imran Khan features here as a bowling all-rounder. He led Pakistan to their only world cup victory in 1992. He took 131 wickets in 139 ODIs as the Pakistan captain. He, also one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, led Pakistan to 75 victories becoming the most successful Pakistani captain.
10. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori, the best Kiwi spinner ever, scalped 92 wickets in 82 matches as the Kiwi captain. He is also the most successful spin captain winning 41 out of the 82 matches for New Zealand. He might not have made as much impact as Fleming or McCullum as a captain, but certainly, he is one of the best spinners in world cricket.
11. Wasim Akram
The Swing King, the best fast bowler of all-time and one of the most successful Pakistani captain, Wasim Akram is the third pacer in the team. Wasim is the captain with most ODI wickets ever, taking 151 wickets in 109 ODIs as Pakistani skipper. He is one of the few players in ODI to take 300 wickets and score 2000 runs.
The Twelfth man:
Virat Kohli:
Although, early on in his captainship career, this modern era Legend has proved his captainship skills. He has led Indian team from the front scoring runs at an average of 83 as a captain. He has the best batting average by any captain in ODIs.He has already scored 3079 runs 52 ODIs with 13 centuries. He has also the joint best win percentage in ODIs, winning 77% of the 52 matches. Undeniably, he'll make to the top of this list in the coming future.
*Stats updated September 3, 2018.
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