There has been no dearth of inspirational captains in the ODI format. Captains have led their sides to World Cup wins. A leader like Arjuna Ranatunga transformed the fortunes of an entire country. The worth of such a captain can’t just be limited to numbers. But there have been several leaders for whom numbers speak volumes about their captaincy.
We look at the top 10 captains with the highest win percentage in ODIs:
[Criteria – Minimum 75 ODI matches captained]
#10 Wasim Akram – 61.46%
The sultan of swing led the side from 1993-2000. Wasim Akram’s high point as ODI captain came in 1999 when Pakistan marched onto the World Cup finals. But just like any other Pakistani captain, Akram’s captaincy largely remained in the shadows of Imran Khan. He had a win percentage of 61.46.
#9 Shaun Pollock – 64.06%
He took over the captaincy reigns from the controversial Hansie Cronje. Shaun Pollock was one of the finest captains the game has seen. But his stint came to an abrupt end when South Africa was knocked out of the 2003 home World Cup. He finished with a win percentage of 64.06.
#8 Graeme Smith – 64.23%
The South African media and fans were perplexed when 22-year-old Graeme Smith was appointed captain. But he proved to be a fine leader of men. Smith is one of the most respected captains. He had a win percentage of 64.23.
#7 Viv Richards – 65.04%
Not many from the younger generation are aware of Sir Viv Richards’ exploits as captain. They know how destructive a batsman Richards was but his captaincy never took center stage. Richards led the side in 105 games winning 67 of them at a win percentage of 65.04.
#6 Steve Waugh – 65.23%
He led the Australian side to World Cup glory in 1999. Steve Waugh was highly rated for his tactical acumen and solid temperament. He led in a total of 106 games with 67 wins at a win percentage of 65.23. Waugh lost 35 to Richards’ 36 hence he edges past the legend on this list.
#5 Eoin Morgan – 65.25%
He took England to a place they had never been in ODI cricket. Eoin Morgan-led England side won the 2019 World Cup. He is credited with revolutionizing English white ball cricket. Morgan has a win percentage of 65.25 after leading the side in 126 games.
#4 Virat Kohli – 70.43%
He is the only Indian captain to feature on this list. Virat Kohli led India won everything in ODIs except for silverware. It still doesn’t discount the fact that he is India’s most successful ODI captain in terms of win percentage. Kohli’s win percentage of 70.43 in 95 ODIs is fourth on the all-timers list.
#3 Hansie Cronje – 73.70%
The maverick South African leads the race for Proteas on this list. Hansie Cronje-led South Africa was the World Cup favourite in 1999. He led the side in 138 games winning 99 of them. Cronje has an outstanding win percentage of 73.70.
#2 Ricky Ponting – 76.14%
He is one of the only two captains to have won successive ODI World Cups. Ricky Ponting’s Australia didn’t lose a single game across the two editions of the World Cup in 2003 and 2007. He had a win percentage of 76.14 in 230 matches as captain.
#1 Clive Lloyd – 77.71%
He became the first World Cup-winning captain in 1975. Clive Lloyd-led West Indies repeated the histrionics in 1979. They came close to making it 3 in a row only to end up on the losing side in the finals of 1983. Lloyd’s win percentage of 77.71 in 84 ODIs remains an unbeaten record.
