Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni stand as two of the most influential leaders in Indian cricket history. Both have steered Team India to new heights across formats, Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, while redefining the art of captaincy with their distinct styles. A detailed numerical analysis reveals their impact, legacy, and the debates surrounding who was the superior captain.
Overall captaincy record
Let’s begin with their overall records as captains in international cricket:
| Captain | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | ICC Titles |
| MS Dhoni | 332 | 178 | 120 | 59.64% | 3 |
| Rohit Sharma | 142 | 104 | 33 | 73.23% | 2 |
Dhoni holds the Indian record for most matches as captain (across all formats), with a respectable win rate, leading India through a period of transition, and lifting every major ICC trophy. While, Rohit boasts a much higher win percentage but over fewer matches; his impact has been rapid and decisive, overseeing a smooth succession and a fearless brand of cricket.
Test captaincy
| Captain | Matches | Wins | Losses | Drawn | Win % |
| MS Dhoni | 60 | 27 | 18 | 15 | 45.00% |
| Rohit Sharma | 24 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 50.00% |
Dhoni guided India to the No 1 Test ranking for the first time in 2009 and delivered series wins in England and New Zealand, yet also oversaw several away whitewashes.
While, Rohit’s tenure as Test skipper was briefer but saw reasonable overseas resilience, with a slightly better win rate by percentage, despite fewer matches and a transitional squad.
ODI captaincy
| Captain | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Notable Titles |
| MS Dhoni | 200 | 110 | 74 | 55.00% | 2011 WC, 2013 CT |
| Rohit Sharma | 56 | 42 | 12 | 75.00% | 2025 CT |
Dhoni’s 200 ODIs as captain included the crowning glory of the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, hallmarks of his calm tactical genius. While, Rohit’s astonishing 75% win rate marks the highest for an Indian ODI skipper (min. 30 matches), and he engineered an unbeaten run to the 2023 WC final and victories in two marquee ICC tournaments.
T20I captaincy
| Captain | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win % | Major Titles |
| MS Dhoni | 72 | 41 | 28 | 58.33% | 2007 T20I WC |
| Rohit Sharma | 51 | 39 | 12 | 76.47% | 2024 T20I WC |
Dhoni pioneered T20 leadership globally, winning the inaugural 2007 World T20 with a young team, which revolutionised Indian cricket. While, Rohit’s T20I captaincy has set records for win rate and included the 2024 title, amplifying his reputation as a white-ball specialist leader.
ICC Tournaments
| Captain | ICC Events Led | Finals | Titles | ICC Win % |
| MS Dhoni | 6 | 4 | 3 | 68.96 |
| Rohit Sharma | 3 | 3 | 2 | 89.65 |
Dhoni’s legacy is cemented by three global trophies: the 2007 T20I World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy, a feat unmatched by any Indian captain.
Rohit, in fewer ICC tournaments, has a remarkable win rate and has tasted glory twice, showing his ability to handle big-match pressure early in his leadership journey.
Legacy and intangibles
Dhoni is celebrated for his calmness under pressure, astute reading of situations, and ability to groom new leaders (Kohli, Rohit).
Rohit’s reign is defined by aggressive, proactive tactics, heavy data reliance, and the embrace of attacking, fearless cricket that has modernized India’s approach.
The final analysis
Statistically, Dhoni’s longevity, ability to win all three ICC trophies, and adept transition management place him atop in terms of achievements and legacy. Rohit excels with a far superior win percentage and immediate impact, arguably marking a new golden age for Indian white-ball cricket, despite having fewer games under his belt. Ultimately, Dhoni’s complete trophy haul and foundational legacy set the benchmark, while Rohit’s numbers and evolving approach promise an equally bright future for Indian cricket.