Captaining the Indian side is considered one of the biggest challenges in world cricket. The sheer amount of criticism around it can make anyone uncomfortable. However, few captains structure their team in such a way that helps their team to win, along with their own batting. So, in this article, we will talk about such Indian captains in 'Top 10 Indian Captains with most runs scored as Indian captains in all formats'.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs as captain for India in all formats with 12,883 runs at an average of 59.92. Kohli has played 213 matches as captain for the Indian team, scoring 41 centuries and 58 half-centuries across formats. Kohli also has the most centuries as captain, along with Ponting, as both have 41 centuries as captain. Kohli scored 21 centuries in One-Day International as captain and averages 72.65 in this format.
2. MS Dhoni
Another Indian stalwart who makes his way into the list is MS Dhoni, who has scored 11,207 runs at an average of 46.89 as captain in all formats for India. Dhoni played 332 matches as Indian Captain, scoring 11 centuries and 71 half-centuries across formats. Dhoni's best format was One-Day International, where he scored six centuries and 47 half-centuries at an average of 53.55, along with winning the World Cup and Champions Trophy.
3. M Azharuddin
Former Indian skipper Azharuddin finds his place in the list with 8095 runs at an average of 40.88 as captain in all formats for India. Azharuddin played 221 matches as Indian Captain, scoring 13 centuries and 46 half-centuries across formats. Azhar scored nine centuries in the test at an average of 43.93. Notably, he scored four centuries in One-Day International as captain.
4. Sourav Ganguly
Former Indian skipper Ganguly made his way into the list with 7643 runs at an average of 38.40 as captain in all formats for India. Ganguly played 195 matches as Indian captain, scoring 16 centuries and 43 half-centuries across formats. As captain, Ganguly scored 5082 runs, scoring 11 centuries in One-Day International and five centuries in test cricket.
5. Sachin Tendulkar
Former legendary Indian batsman Tendulkar made his way into the list with 4508 runs at an average of 42.93 as captain in all formats for India. Sachin played 98 matches as Indian captain, scoring 13 centuries and 19 half-centuries across formats. As Indian captain, Tendulkar scored 2054 runs at an average of 51.35, scoring seven centuries in test cricket and six centuries in One-Day International.
6. Rahul Dravid
Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dravid finds his place in the list with 4394 runs at an average of 43.07 as captain in all formats for India. Dravid played 104 matches as Indian captain, scoring six centuries and 35 half-centuries across formats. As Indian captain, Dravid scored 2658 runs at an average of 42.19, scoring two centuries in One-Day International and four centuries in test cricket.
7. Sunil Gavaskar
Former Indian opener batsman Gavaskar finds his place in the list with 4151 runs at an average of 43.69 as captain in all formats for India. Dravid played 84 matches as Indian captain, scoring 11 centuries and 19 half-centuries across formats. As Indian captain, Gavaskar scored 3449 runs at an average of 50.72, scoring 11 centuries in test cricket. He is the third highest run scorer for India in test cricket, only behind Kohli and Dhoni.
8. Rohit Sharma
The current Indian opener batsman and skipper Rohit Sharma made his way into the list with 4110 runs at an average of 42.81 as captain in all formats for India. Rohit has played 103 matches as Indian captain so far, scoring eight centuries and 26 half-centuries across formats. As Indian captain, Rohit scored 1953 runs at an average of 55.80, scoring four centuries in One-Day International. Rohit is also the only Indian captain to score centuries in T20 International.
9. Kapil Dev
Former Indian stalwart all-rounder and skipper Kapil Dev made his way into the list with 2928 runs at an average of 31.14 as captain in all formats for India. Kapil has played 108 matches as Indian captain, scoring four centuries and 15 half-centuries across formats. Kapil Dev has scored 1564 runs as captain in One-Day International at a blistering strike rate of 105.74, which includes a century against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.
10. Mansoor Pataudi
Former Indian skipper Mansoor Pataudi is the last name in this list with 2424 runs at an average of 34.14 as captain in all formats for India. Pataudi has played 40 matches as Indian captain, scoring five centuries and 13 half-centuries. Pataudi got a chance to lead India only in tests and has scored 2424 runs as captain in test cricket. Notably, he scored a century against England at Headingley.
