IPL 2018: Captains who never lost an IPL final

Fasten your seat-belts and hold your nerves as the 11th edition of IPL is all set to begin in just a month's of time. This edition of IPL is expected to be much bigger as the two teams viz. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are making their comeback to the league after serving a two-year ban.

Having enjoyed ten successful years, IPL has come across many captains. However, only six of them had the privilege to have their hands on the beautiful trophy. Whereas, many captains lost their way in the finals.

Let us have a look at all the captains who never lost an IPL final.

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#1 Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals)

Shane Warne was the first captain to lift the IPL trophy

The world-class leg-spinner from Australia, Shane Warne was the first captain to lift an IPL trophy. Rajasthan Royals, beautifully led by Warne, won the inaugural edition of the league. Also, Shane Warne remains the most successful captain ever to lead the RR side.

Shane Warne led from the front as he picked up 19 wickets from 15 innings in the first edition of IPL. On the back of his exceptional bowling and captaincy, Rajasthan Royals reached the finals and won the inaugural edition of the tournament.

Till date, RR has only featured in a solitary IPL final (2008) and that too under Warne's captaincy. Thus, Shane Warne remains the only RR captain and first overall to have never lost an IPL final.

IPL Captaincy Record - Matches: 55 | Won: 30 | Lost: 24 | Tied: 1 | Win %: 55.45

#2 Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers)

Deccan Chargers won the 2009 edition under the captaincy of Gilchrist

Another Australian on the list is the legendary wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist. Gilchrist played a vital role in Deccan Charger's road to their only IPL final. Under his captaincy, DC became the second IPL team to have its hand on the beautiful IPL trophy.

Interestingly, DC is the only team to have won the IPL trophy after finishing last in the previous edition. DC finished as the number eight team in the inaugural edition of IPL and went on to win the second edition of the tournament.

Deccan Chargers played only one IPL final (2009) till date and won the same under Gilchrist's captaincy. Thus, he is the only DC captain and second overall to have never lost an IPL final.

IPL Captaincy Record - Matches: 74 | Won: 35 | Lost: 39 | Tied: 0 | Win %: 47.29

#3 Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Gambhir became the second captain in the history of IPL to win two IPL trophies

The left-handed opener from Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, was the main reason behind Kolkata Knight Riders' triumph at the IPL. The KKR franchise appointed Gautam Gambhir as their captain in 2011 after their dismal show at the IPL.

KKR's very decision of appointing Gambhir as a captain proved to be successful as KKR lifted their first ever IPL trophy in 2012. It was not an end of the story as KKR, under the captaincy of Gambhir, lifted their second IPL title in 2014. Consequently, Gautam Gambhir became the only second captain after MS Dhoni to have won two IPL titles.

KKR has featured in two IPL finals (2012 and 2014), each under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, and have won both the finals. Thus, Gautam Gambhir is the only KKR captain and third overall to have never lost an IPL final.

IPL Captaincy Record - Matches: 123 | Won: 70 | Lost: 52 | Tied: 1 | Win %: 57.31

#4 Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)

Rohit Sharma: The only captain to win three IPL trophies

MI skipper, Rohit Sharma, is the only captain in the history of IPL to have won three IPL trophies. Also, Rohit Sharma remains the most successful captain in the history of IPL with the highest win percentage of 60.66*.

Rohit Sharma was assigned as MI captain in 2013 after Ricky Ponting left the captaincy job in the same season. Having Sharma as the captain provided fast results for MI as they went on to win the IPL trophy same year.

MI has one of the best conversion rates in IPL finals (2013, 2015 and 2017) as they have won three out of four finals each under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The one IPL final that MI lost was under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar in 2010. Thus, Rohit Sharma remains the only MI captain and fourth overall to have never lost an IPL final.

IPL Captaincy Record - Matches: 75 | Won: 45 | Lost: 29 | Tied: 1 | Win %: 60.66

*Minimum 30 matches as a captain

#5 David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

David Warner became the third Australian to win an IPL trophy

Another Australian to be featured on the list is David Warner. Come 2015, saw David Warner as the new captain of the SRH franchise.

Initially, Warner struggled as the captain of SRH. However, Warner's captaincy came to limelight in 2016 when he captained his side to their first ever IPL final.

Till date, SRH has featured in only one IPL final (2016) and have won the same under Warner's captaincy. Thus, Warner remains the only SRH captain and fifth overall to have never lost an IPL final.

IPL Captaincy Record - Matches: 47 | Won: 26 | Lost: 21 | Tied: 0 | Win %: 55.31