Rating the Indian captains since 2000

Modified Jun 27, 2017 21:02 IST

COLOMBO - SEPTEMBER 25: Youvraj Singh and Saurav Ganguly of India celebrate after winning the ICC Champions Trophy semi final match between India and South Africa at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on September 25, 2002. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images.) — *Yuvraj Singh recently said that Ganguly was his favourite captain*

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2007-2016) – 9/10

MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 03: India's cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni poses with the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy, with the Gateway of India in the backdrop, during a photo call at the Taj Palace Hotel on April 3, 2011 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Ritam Banerjee/Getty Images) — *Dhoni led India to two World Cup wins*

Unsurprisingly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni receives the highest rating among all the captains who have donned the armband since the turn of the 21^st century.

Through the years, Dhoni has displayed enormous resilience and determination. Under his leadership, the team went on to win the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011 and climbed to the top of the Test rankings as well.

It was not only the achievements but the calmness and perseverance of the man that made him stand out. He led from the front and took responsibility for the team’s defeats while being humble enough to praise his teammates for the victories.

Dhoni has contributed so much to Indian cricket that several cricketers including Ganguly and Tendulkar have hailed him as the best captain India have ever had. He did have his share of failures and was criticised for his seemingly defensive tactics in a few Test matches but all in all, he has only made the team better.