IPL started in 2008 as a mega league based on franchise system. The first season saw eight founding members as franchise based teams. Seven of the teams still participate in the IPL whereas the Deccan Chargers team was defunct. A new management bought the Hyderabad franchise and rebranded it as Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Out of the eight teams some have received considerable success whereas a few have failed to find any substantial success. Out of all the sports played in the World cricket is one of the few which has the maximum importance of cricket. Overall 48 players have captained one or more games in 12 seasons of IPL. Some captains in IPL have left a long lasting effect. Let us take a look at five captains with most matches in IPL:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni:
The Indian captain is the longest serving captain in IPL. Out of the eight captains that started the era of IPL only Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still serving as the captain. He led the Chennai Supers Kings from 2008 to 2015. When the yellow army was banned for some irregularities in 2015 he captained the Rising Super Pune Giants team for 2016 and 2017. He again captained the side for 2018 and 2019 season. He has captained a side in IPL for 174 times. He has lifted the IPL trophy three times and is ranked at number one in the list of captains with most matches in IPL.
Gautam Gambhir
The Delhi born batsman has had different stints in the leadership role. He managed the Delhi Daredevils team in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Gambhir was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record sum in the mega auction after the conclusion of the third season. This is where Gambhir displayed his leadership skills and led the Kolkata side to two titles in a period of six years before finally ending his IPL career at Delhi Capitals. With 129 games as a captain, he is ranked second in the list of captains with most matches in IPL.
Virat Kohli
The Indian captain has found difficulty in leading his IPL side to the same amount of success. However, he is still ranked third in the list of captains with most matches in IPL. He captained RCB first time in 2011 after a successful World Cup with team India. In eight years since then, he has led the team in 110 games.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is arguably the best leader in IPL and he has a trophy cabinet containing four IPL trophies. The explosive opener moved to Mumbai Indians in 2010 after three successful years with Deccan Chargers. He was handed the reins of the Mumbai team after Sachin announced his retirement. Rohit has captained the Mumbai side for 104 times and is on the fourth number on the list of captains with most matches in IPL.
Adam Gilchrist
Gilchrist is the only foreign player in the list of captains with most matches in IPL. Gilchrist led the Deccan Chargers team to a victory in the 2009 season before moving to Kings XI Punjab in the 2011 season. Gilchrist led his side in 74 games.