Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: ODI, T20i, Test
Unwavering consistency is one of the hallmarks of genuine leadership. It is a remarkable accomplishment to be able to steer a team through multiple contests without suffering a loss.
This displays not only mental but also physical and emotional toughness, as well as an unwavering commitment to the goals of the team.
The number of consecutive matches won as captain of a team is not just a statistic; rather, it is a measure of a leader's intrinsic ability to inspire their squad to perform at a high level as a unit.
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: ODI, T20i, Test
There is a record in the cricket universe that is about more than simply numbers, where every run counts and every ball tells a tale.
Leadership, perseverance, and a relationship built over many contests are major themes. What qualities does a leader need to consistently inspire his team to victory?
Who are the dedicated individuals whose names appear in this one-of-a-kind archive? The backstories of those who have captained their organizations for the longest stretches of time are revealed.
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: ODI, T20i, Test
Player
Team
Mat
Tests
ODIs
T20Is
From
Until
M Azharuddin
India
128
30
98
0
29 Nov 1991
4 Jul 1996
A Vala
Papua New Guinea
112*
0
64
48
9 Feb 2016
24 Sep 2023
DPMD Jayawardene
Sri Lanka
100
22
69
9
19 Mar 2006
10 Oct 2008
WJ Cronje
South Africa
99
26
73
0
25 Nov 1994
30 Jan 1998
ADR Campbell
Zimbabwe
95
19
76
0
26 Aug 1996
29 Oct 1999
Babar Azam
Pakistan
91
18
18
55
26 Jan 2021
13 Jan 2023
WJ Cronje
South Africa
83
26
57
0
26 Feb 1998
27 Mar 2000
LRD Mendis
Sri Lanka
78
18
60
0
19 Mar 1983
30 Oct 1987
AR Border
Australia
78
25
53
0
9 Apr 1987
8 Mar 1990
Asghar Afghan
Afghanistan
78
0
40
38
9 Jul 2015
19 Feb 2018
SP Fleming
New Zealand
77
21
56
0
25 Mar 1999
27 Mar 2001
SM Pollock
South Africa
76
21
55
0
12 Apr 2000
8 Feb 2002
IVA Richards
West Indies
73
19
54
0
9 Mar 1985
12 Mar 1988
SR Tendulkar
India
71
17
54
0
28 Aug 1996
28 Dec 1997
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Pakistan
69
13
31
25
4 Jun 2017
25 Jan 2019
ST Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
68
21
47
0
22 Aug 1999
25 Mar 2001
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
67
15
52
0
21 Feb 1996
24 Jan 1998
SR Waugh
Australia
67
19
48
0
5 Mar 1999
1 Dec 2000
Mohammad Ashraful
Bangladesh
62
13
38
11
25 Jun 2007
8 Jun 2009
Waqar Younis
Pakistan
61
14
47
0
8 Apr 2001
27 Nov 2002
RB Richardson
West Indies
60
9
51
0
17 Oct 1991
1 Nov 1993
MA Taylor
Australia
60
18
42
0
14 Apr 1994
17 Mar 1996
DJG Sammy
West Indies
58
15
29
14
15 Oct 2011
13 Feb 2013
PM Seelaar
Netherlands
58
0
20
38
12 Jun 2018
17 Jun 2022
CL Hooper
West Indies
57
22
35
0
9 Mar 2001
9 Nov 2002
AR Border
Australia
55
18
37
0
7 Dec 1984
29 Mar 1986
N Kapil Dev
India
53
15
38
0
22 Mar 1985
17 Jan 1987
Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh
53
14
24
15
11 Oct 2011
4 Feb 2014
ST Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
51
16
35
0
8 Apr 2001
5 Aug 2002
Ahmed Raza
United Arab Emirates
51
0
26
25
18 Oct 2019
14 Aug 2022
SP Fleming
New Zealand
50
14
36
0
7 Mar 1997
9 Jan 1999
N Hussain
England
50
18
32
0
13 Oct 2001
16 Feb 2003
BRM Taylor
Zimbabwe
50
8
28
14
4 Aug 2011
31 Aug 2013
KC Sangakkara
Sri Lanka
49
8
21
20
8 Jun 2009
23 May 2010
WTS Porterfield
Ireland
49
1
35
13
14 Feb 2016
11 May 2018
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
48
16
32
0
15 Aug 1992
20 Feb 1994
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
48
12
36
0
3 Aug 1994
26 Dec 1995
WTS Porterfield
Ireland
48
0
28
20
26 Sep 2010
6 May 2014
AG Cremer
Zimbabwe
48
8
35
5
11 Jun 2016
22 Mar 2018
MA Atherton
England
47
29
18
0
5 Aug 1993
13 Jan 1996
KC Wessels
South Africa
46
10
36
0
26 Feb 1992
2 Jan 1994
MS Dhoni
India
46
10
24
12
26 Feb 2012
30 Jun 2013
Saleem Malik
Pakistan
45
12
33
0
10 Feb 1994
26 Feb 1995
GC Smith
South Africa
45
18
27
0
17 Oct 2003
27 Feb 2005
DL Vettori
New Zealand
45
12
27
6
9 Feb 2008
6 Mar 2009
AR Border
Australia
43
16
27
0
25 Jan 1991
6 Dec 1992
LK Germon
New Zealand
43
12
31
0
18 Oct 1995
6 Feb 1997
SP Fleming
New Zealand
43
9
34
0
24 Apr 2002
9 Nov 2003
A Balbirnie
Ireland
43
0
21
22
7 Jan 2020
8 Jan 2022
MG Erasmus
Namibia
43*
0
32
11
6 Mar 2022
4 Apr 2023
SC Ganguly
India
42
14
28
0
28 Jan 2002
18 Nov 2002
HH Streak
Zimbabwe
42
8
34
0
10 Feb 2003
14 Mar 2004
IM Chappell
Australia
41
30
11
0
12 Feb 1971
28 Aug 1975
GP Howarth
New Zealand
41
9
32
0
21 Dec 1980
17 Mar 1983
Habibul Bashar
Bangladesh
41
12
29
0
10 Dec 2004
30 Jul 2006
JM Brearley
England
40
20
20
0
1 Jun 1978
15 Feb 1980
GS Chappell
Australia
40
16
24
0
27 Nov 1979
7 Feb 1981
A Flower
Zimbabwe
40
12
28
0
10 Nov 1993
6 Mar 1996
Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan
40
11
22
7
12 May 2011
22 Mar 2012
Mohammad Nabi
Afghanistan
40
0
28
12
3 Mar 2013
13 Mar 2015
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: ODI
Player
Team
Mat
From
Until
WJ Cronje
South Africa
130
6 Dec 1994
27 Mar 2000
M Azharuddin
India
98
6 Dec 1991
26 May 1996
SM Pollock
South Africa
89
12 Apr 2000
3 Mar 2003
DPMD Jayawardene
Sri Lanka
85
19 Mar 2006
8 Feb 2009
ADR Campbell
Zimbabwe
76
26 Aug 1996
24 Oct 1999
Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan
75
28 May 2011
10 Oct 2014
MS Dhoni
India
69
29 Sep 2007
18 Dec 2009
WTS Porterfield
Ireland
67
10 Jan 2015
7 Jul 2019
A Vala
Papua New Guinea
64*
4 Nov 2016
5 Apr 2023
LRD Mendis
Sri Lanka
60
19 Mar 1983
30 Oct 1987
SP Fleming
New Zealand
56
25 Mar 1999
28 Feb 2001
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
55
16 Jan 1996
24 Jan 1998
IVA Richards
West Indies
54
9 Mar 1985
12 Mar 1988
SR Tendulkar
India
54
28 Aug 1996
28 Dec 1997
AR Border
Australia
53
9 Apr 1987
8 Mar 1990
RB Richardson
West Indies
51
17 Oct 1991
1 Nov 1993
SR Waugh
Australia
49
11 Apr 1999
11 Jan 2001
ST Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
47
22 Aug 1999
25 Mar 2001
Waqar Younis
Pakistan
47
8 Apr 2001
27 Nov 2002
AD Mathews
Sri Lanka
47
26 Jul 2013
20 Jan 2015
Mashrafe Mortaza
Bangladesh
45
17 May 2017
5 Jul 2019
SO Tikolo
Kenya
43
23 Mar 2006
19 Apr 2009
MA Taylor
Australia
42
14 Apr 1994
17 Mar 1996
AN Cook
England
41
3 Sep 2011
23 Jun 2013
Asghar Afghan
Afghanistan
40
16 Oct 2015
19 Feb 2018
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
39
5 Apr 1998
30 May 1999
AJ Finch
Australia
39
4 Nov 2018
2 Dec 2020
MD Shanaka
Sri Lanka
39*
18 Jul 2021
17 Sep 2023
N Kapil Dev
India
38
22 Mar 1985
17 Jan 1987
RT Ponting
Australia
38
21 Jan 2003
29 Jan 2004
Mohammad Ashraful
Bangladesh
38
20 Jul 2007
23 Jan 2009
AR Border
Australia
37
6 Jan 1985
29 Mar 1986
Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh
37
13 Oct 2011
25 Aug 2014
KC Wessels
South Africa
36
26 Feb 1992
18 Dec 1993
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
36
3 Aug 1994
21 Dec 1995
LK Germon
New Zealand
36
15 Nov 1995
4 Mar 1997
SP Fleming
New Zealand
36
25 Mar 1997
9 Jan 1999
DL Vettori
New Zealand
36
25 Nov 2007
6 Mar 2009
RT Ponting
Australia
36
12 Sep 2009
3 Jul 2010
ST Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
35
8 Apr 2001
5 Aug 2002
CL Hooper
West Indies
35
28 Apr 2001
9 Nov 2002
AG Cremer
Zimbabwe
35
11 Jun 2016
22 Mar 2018
MD Crowe
New Zealand
34
2 Nov 1990
4 Dec 1992
SP Fleming
New Zealand
34
24 Apr 2002
9 Nov 2003
HH Streak
Zimbabwe
34
10 Feb 2003
14 Mar 2004
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Pakistan
34
7 Apr 2017
25 Jan 2019
Babar Azam
Pakistan
34*
30 Oct 2020
14 Sep 2023
Saleem Malik
Pakistan
33
3 Mar 1994
26 Feb 1995
Shahid Afridi
Pakistan
33
31 Jan 2010
5 May 2011
JO Holder
West Indies
33
7 Nov 2015
27 Sep 2017
GP Howarth
New Zealand
32
21 Dec 1980
17 Mar 1983
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
32
15 Aug 1992
20 Feb 1994
N Hussain
England
32
13 Oct 2001
16 Feb 2003
MP Vaughan
England
32
1 Jul 2003
2 Feb 2005
P Utseya
Zimbabwe
32
29 Jul 2006
24 Jan 2008
IH Romaine
Bermuda
32*
19 Aug 2006
8 Apr 2009
BRM Taylor
Zimbabwe
32
12 Aug 2011
24 Jul 2014
EJG Morgan
England
32
15 Jan 2017
13 Jun 2018
V Kohli
India
32
2 Mar 2019
28 Mar 2021
KJ Coetzer
Scotland
32
21 Jan 2018
3 Jun 2022
MG Erasmus
Namibia
32*
6 Mar 2022
4 Apr 2023
PW Borren
Netherlands
31
16 Feb 2010
28 Jan 2014
AB de Villiers
South Africa
31
10 Mar 2013
19 Aug 2014
AD Mathews
Sri Lanka
31
14 Feb 2015
31 Aug 2016
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
30
4 Nov 1988
6 Feb 1991
T Taibu
Zimbabwe
29
20 Apr 2004
4 Sep 2005
Habibul Bashar
Bangladesh
29
23 Dec 2004
30 Jul 2006
BC Lara
West Indies
29
29 Apr 2006
21 Jan 2007
Shoaib Malik
Pakistan
29
18 May 2007
29 Jun 2008
DJG Sammy
West Indies
29
15 Oct 2011
10 Feb 2013
EJG Morgan
England
29
9 Jun 2015
4 Sep 2016
RK Paudel
Nepal
29*
14 Nov 2022
4 Sep 2023
RGD Willis
England
28
2 Jun 1982
9 Mar 1984
A Flower
Zimbabwe
28
10 Nov 1993
6 Mar 1996
SC Ganguly
India
28
28 Jan 2002
18 Nov 2002
SC Ganguly
India
28
6 Feb 2004
12 Apr 2005
P Utseya
Zimbabwe
28
17 Oct 2008
27 Oct 2009
AJ Strauss
England
28
19 Jun 2010
26 Mar 2011
WTS Porterfield
Ireland
28
26 Sep 2010
6 May 2014
Mohammad Nabi
Afghanistan
28
6 Mar 2013
13 Mar 2015
AR Border
Australia
27
26 Feb 1991
6 Dec 1992
HH Streak
Zimbabwe
27
27 Sep 2000
11 Apr 2001
GC Smith
South Africa
27
25 Jan 2004
27 Feb 2005
Habibul Bashar
Bangladesh
27
7 Oct 2006
12 May 2007
BC Lara
West Indies
26
16 May 1999
11 Jan 2000
Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladesh
26
26 Jul 2009
21 Jun 2010
V Kohli
India
26
15 Jan 2017
29 Oct 2017
Ahmed Raza
United Arab Emirates
26
8 Dec 2019
14 Aug 2022
SC Ganguly
India
25
9 Mar 2000
11 Dec 2000
SR Waugh
Australia
25
26 Jan 2001
3 Feb 2002
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Pakistan
25
3 Dec 2003
30 Sep 2004
R Dravid
India
25
21 Jan 2007
8 Sep 2007
E Chigumbura
Zimbabwe
25
10 Jul 2015
6 Jan 2016
Zeeshan Maqsood
Oman
25
27 Apr 2019
5 Mar 2022
MD Patel
United States of America
25
28 May 2022
18 Jun 2023
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: T20i
Player
Team
Mat
From
Until
Babar Azam
Pakistan
55
11 Feb 2021
13 Nov 2022
A Balbirnie
Ireland
52
15 Jan 2020
15 Jan 2023
A Vala
Papua New Guinea
48*
9 Feb 2016
24 Sep 2023
Asghar Afghan
Afghanistan
46
9 Jul 2015
24 Feb 2019
MD Shanaka
Sri Lanka
45*
25 Jul 2021
8 Apr 2023
MG Erasmus
Namibia
40*
21 May 2019
20 Oct 2022
PM Seelaar
Netherlands
38
12 Jun 2018
22 Oct 2021
R Satheesan
Romania
38*
29 Aug 2019
20 Aug 2023
WTS Porterfield
Ireland
37
2 Aug 2008
21 Mar 2014
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Pakistan
33
7 Sep 2016
4 Nov 2018
SO Ngoche
Kenya
31
20 May 2019
21 Sep 2022
K Motlhanka
Botswana
31*
19 Aug 2019
19 Jun 2023
Razmal Shigiwal
Austria
31*
23 May 2021
25 Jul 2023
P Mishra
Bulgaria
30
14 Oct 2019
25 Jun 2022
Mohammad Hafeez
Pakistan
29
1 Jun 2012
1 Apr 2014
AJ Finch
Australia
29
27 Jun 2018
4 Dec 2020
Mahmudullah
Bangladesh
29
22 Jul 2021
7 Jul 2022
GJ Bailey
Australia
28
1 Feb 2012
1 Apr 2014
CW Perchard
Jersey
28*
19 Oct 2019
28 Jul 2023
Ahmed Faiz
Malaysia
28*
4 Jul 2022
28 Sep 2023
PW Borren
Netherlands
27
15 Nov 2013
18 Jan 2017
AJ Finch
Australia
27
23 Oct 2021
31 Oct 2022
MNM Aslam
Kuwait
27*
23 Feb 2020
28 Sep 2023
Mashrafe Mortaza
Bangladesh
26
24 Apr 2015
6 Apr 2017
Ahmed Raza
United Arab Emirates
25
18 Oct 2019
24 Feb 2022
MS Dhoni
India
24
13 Sep 2007
11 May 2010
MS Dhoni
India
24
31 Aug 2011
7 Sep 2014
Shahid Afridi
Pakistan
24
5 Oct 2014
25 Mar 2016
DJG Sammy
West Indies
24
19 Feb 2014
3 Apr 2016
Amjad Mahboob
Singapore
24
29 Sep 2019
24 Aug 2022
DJG Sammy
West Indies
23
21 Apr 2011
28 Jul 2013
MS Dhoni
India
23
2 Oct 2015
28 Aug 2016
EJG Morgan
England
23
18 Feb 2018
6 Sep 2020
NS Dhaliwal
Canada
23
18 Aug 2019
24 Feb 2022
J Mees
Luxembourg
23
28 Aug 2020
31 Jul 2022
Mohammad Nabi
Afghanistan
23
25 Oct 2021
4 Nov 2022
NG Collins
Finland
23
13 Jul 2019
20 May 2023
J Butler
Guernsey
23
31 May 2019
7 Jul 2023
KA Pollard
West Indies
22
14 Nov 2019
3 Jul 2021
BA Pai
Gibraltar
22
21 Oct 2021
6 May 2023
KC Sangakkara
Sri Lanka
21
8 Jun 2009
31 Oct 2010
A Ashokan
Czech Republic
21*
2 Sep 2021
11 Jun 2023
KS Williamson
New Zealand
20
9 Aug 2015
7 Nov 2017
V Ganesan
Germany
20
8 Mar 2020
22 Feb 2022
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: Test
Player
Team
Mat
From
Until
AR Border
Australia
93
7 Dec 1984
25 Mar 1994
RT Ponting
Australia
73
3 Nov 2004
26 Dec 2010
SP Fleming
New Zealand
65
1 Jul 1999
15 Dec 2006
AN Cook
England
57
15 Nov 2012
16 Dec 2016
MA Atherton
England
52
5 Aug 1993
20 Mar 1998
MA Taylor
Australia
50
28 Sep 1994
2 Jan 1999
GC Smith
South Africa
40
16 Dec 2009
1 Mar 2014
GS Sobers
West Indies
39
3 Mar 1965
20 Apr 1972
JE Root
England
39
6 Jul 2017
24 Jan 2020
ST Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
38
9 Sep 1999
8 Nov 2002
M Azharuddin
India
37
2 Feb 1990
4 Jul 1996
GC Smith
South Africa
36
24 Apr 2003
24 Mar 2006
PBH May
England
35
9 Jun 1955
2 Jul 1959
Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan
35
30 Jun 2012
17 Nov 2016
JR Reid
New Zealand
34
18 Feb 1956
8 Jul 1965
SC Ganguly
India
33
10 Nov 2000
8 Oct 2003
DL Vettori
New Zealand
32
8 Nov 2007
15 Jan 2011
BB McCullum
New Zealand
31
2 Jan 2013
20 Feb 2016
AD Mathews
Sri Lanka
31
8 Mar 2013
13 Aug 2016
SPD Smith
Australia
31
5 Nov 2015
22 Mar 2018
IM Chappell
Australia
30
12 Feb 1971
28 Aug 1975
SR Waugh
Australia
30
23 Aug 2001
2 Jan 2004
DJG Sammy
West Indies
30
15 Nov 2010
19 Dec 2013
CH Lloyd
West Indies
29
22 Nov 1974
17 Mar 1978
GC Smith
South Africa
29
15 Dec 2006
6 Mar 2009
AJ Strauss
England
29
27 May 2010
16 Aug 2012
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
28
17 Aug 1992
26 Dec 1995
DPMD Jayawardene
Sri Lanka
28
28 Feb 2006
1 Mar 2009
MS Dhoni
India
27
24 Jan 2010
13 Jan 2012
Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh
27
21 Oct 2011
12 Jan 2017
WJ Cronje
South Africa
26
25 Nov 1994
30 Jan 1998
WJ Cronje
South Africa
26
26 Feb 1998
2 Mar 2000
WM Woodfull
Australia
25
13 Jun 1930
18 Aug 1934
R Illingworth
England
25
12 Jun 1969
10 Aug 1972
DI Gower
England
25
12 Mar 1984
5 Jun 1986
V Kohli
India
25
6 Jan 2015
16 Mar 2017
KS Williamson
New Zealand
25
8 Oct 2016
26 Dec 2019
JE Root
England
25
16 Jul 2020
24 Mar 2022
MJ Clarke
Australia
24
3 Jan 2011
14 Mar 2013
AH Kardar
Pakistan
23
16 Oct 1952
26 Mar 1958
CH Lloyd
West Indies
23
24 Nov 1980
2 Mar 1984
MW Gatting
England
23
19 Jun 1986
2 Jun 1988
N Hussain
England
23
16 Aug 2001
24 Jul 2003
TD Paine
Australia
23
30 Mar 2018
15 Jan 2021
KC Brathwaite
West Indies
23*
3 Feb 2021
20 Jul 2023
BS Bedi
India
22
5 Feb 1976
14 Nov 1978
SM Gavaskar
India
22
2 Jan 1981
30 Jan 1983
A Ranatunga
Sri Lanka
22
11 Sep 1996
24 Feb 1999
CL Hooper
West Indies
22
9 Mar 2001
30 Oct 2002
BC Lara
West Indies
22
10 Apr 2003
19 Aug 2004
Nawab of Pataudi
India
21
23 Mar 1962
13 Jul 1967
SM Pollock
South Africa
21
20 Jul 2000
2 Jan 2002
MS Dhoni
India
21
23 Aug 2012
15 Aug 2014
JO Holder
West Indies
21
14 Oct 2015
1 Dec 2017
V Kohli
India
21
1 Aug 2018
17 Dec 2020
MJK Smith
England
20
4 Dec 1964
2 Jun 1966
WM Lawry
Australia
20
22 Aug 1968
29 Jan 1971
JM Brearley
England
20
1 Jun 1978
15 Feb 1980
N Kapil Dev
India
20
30 Aug 1985
13 Mar 1987
Babar Azam
Pakistan
20*
26 Jan 2021
24 Jul 2023
FDM Karunaratne
Sri Lanka
20*
21 Mar 2021
24 Jul 2023
WR Hammond
England
19
10 Jun 1938
31 Jan 1947
R Benaud
Australia
19
5 Dec 1958
8 Jun 1961
RB Simpson
Australia
19
1 Jan 1964
14 May 1965
GT Dowling
New Zealand
19
22 Feb 1968
9 Mar 1972
GP Howarth
New Zealand
19
26 Dec 1980
24 Mar 1984
IVA Richards
West Indies
19
29 Mar 1985
11 Jan 1988
GA Gooch
England
19
26 Dec 1990
29 Jan 1993
ADR Campbell
Zimbabwe
19
11 Sep 1996
29 Oct 1999
SR Waugh
Australia
19
5 Mar 1999
1 Dec 2000
HW Taylor
South Africa
18
13 Dec 1913
16 Aug 1924
FCM Alexander
West Indies
18
17 Jan 1958
25 Mar 1960
LRD Mendis
Sri Lanka
18
22 Apr 1983
16 Apr 1987
MP Vaughan
England
18
3 Jun 2004
8 Sep 2005
R Dravid
India
18
13 Jan 2006
9 Aug 2007
MP Vaughan
England
18
25 May 2007
30 Jul 2008
BA Stokes
England
18*
2 Jun 2022
27 Jul 2023
BE Congdon
New Zealand
17
23 Mar 1972
28 Feb 1975
GS Chappell
Australia
17
28 Nov 1975
25 Aug 1977
IVA Richards
West Indies
17
14 Apr 1988
24 Feb 1990
KR Rutherford
New Zealand
17
26 Nov 1993
18 Mar 1995
SR Tendulkar
India
17
10 Oct 1996
3 Dec 1997
BC Lara
West Indies
17
29 Jan 1998
26 Dec 1999
MS Atapattu
Sri Lanka
17
6 May 2004
18 Dec 2005
Mominul Haque
Bangladesh
17
14 Nov 2019
23 May 2022
AL Wadekar
India
16
18 Feb 1971
4 Jul 1974
GS Chappell
Australia
16
1 Dec 1979
7 Feb 1981
Imran Khan
Pakistan
16
23 Feb 1986
6 Aug 1987
Waqar Younis
Pakistan
16
17 May 2001
2 Jan 2003
AJ Strauss
England
16
4 Feb 2009
14 Jan 2010
MJ Clarke
Australia
16
10 Jul 2013
9 Dec 2014
DG Bradman
Australia
15
29 Nov 1946
14 Aug 1948
AD Nourse
South Africa
15
16 Dec 1948
16 Aug 1951
JDC Goddard
West Indies
15
3 Mar 1948
31 Dec 1951
L Hutton
England
15
5 Jun 1952
10 Jun 1954
IWG Johnson
Australia
15
31 Dec 1954
19 Oct 1956
ER Dexter
England
15
26 Jul 1962
22 Aug 1963
FMM Worrell
West Indies
15
9 Dec 1960
22 Aug 1963
Nawab of Pataudi
India
15
30 Dec 1967
24 Dec 1969
SP Fleming
New Zealand
15
14 Feb 1997
2 Jan 1999
JC Adams
West Indies
15
16 Mar 2000
2 Jan 2001
Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan
15
12 Nov 2010
3 Feb 2012
D Elgar
South Africa
15
10 Jun 2021
4 Jan 2023
Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: ODI, T20i, Test
Among the myriad records that dot the cricketing landscape, one shines brightly: the record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team.
This accolade is a glowing tribute to a captain’s tenacity, dedication, and an unwavering bond with their team.
Leadership is accorded a great deal of importance in cricket, which is a game that requires both strategy and skill.
The duty of captain extends far beyond the confines of the game itself; it is about creating unity, generating motivation, and setting the bar at the highest possible level.
Key Takeaways: Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team
The record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team is a testament to a captain's dedication, resilience, and leadership qualities.
Captaining across different formats (ODI, T20I, Test) presents unique challenges, requiring adaptability and varied strategic approaches.
The list of top captains in each format showcases a blend of seasoned legends and emerging leaders from diverse cricketing nations.
Consistent captaincy is not just about strategy; it's about fostering team unity, setting high standards, and leading by example.
Celebrating this record is a nod to the relentless drive and commitment that defines the essence of true leadership in the world of cricket.
Top 5 Players with Most Consecutive Matches as Captain in ODIs
One-Day Internationals (ODIs) offer a one-of-a-kind combination of fast action and strategic thinking. In one-day internationals (ODIs), being a captain calls for agility and forethought.
It is a credit to a leader’s ability to retain a steady hand through a variety of challenges if they are able to break the record for the most consecutive matches won as captain in this particular format.
1. WJ Cronje (South Africa)
With an astounding 130 matches from 6 Dec 1994 to 27 Mar 2000, WJ Cronje stands tall at the pinnacle of this list.
His leadership skills and strategic acumen were evident as he captained South Africa through numerous challenges, making him a revered figure in the annals of cricket.
2. M Azharuddin (India)
M Azharuddin, one of India‘s most iconic captains, led the team in 98 consecutive ODIs from 6 Dec 1991 to 26 May 1996.
His calm demeanor and tactical prowess ensured that India remained a formidable force during his tenure.
3. SM Pollock (South Africa)
Another gem from South Africa, SM Pollock, showcased his leadership qualities by captaining the team in 89 consecutive matches.
From 12 Apr 2000 to 3 Mar 2003, Pollock’s captaincy was marked by a blend of aggression and strategy, making him one of the most respected leaders in the game.
4. DPMD Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
DPMD Jayawardene, a stalwart of Sri Lankan cricket, led his team in 85 consecutive ODIs between 19 Mar 2006 and 8 Feb 2009.
His astute understanding of the game and ability to inspire his teammates made him one of the most successful captains in ODI history.
5. ADR Campbell (Zimbabwe)
Representing Zimbabwe, ADR Campbell showcased exemplary leadership by captaining his team in 76 consecutive matches from 26 Aug 1996 to 24 Oct 1999.
His tenure was marked by resilience and determination, making him a notable figure in the list of top ODI captains.
Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team in T20I
Because of the rapid pace of Twenty20 Internationals, the captain of the team needs to have strong reflexes and the ability to make quick decisions.
A leader’s ability to think quickly and strategically is recognized when they have a prestigious record, like as the record for the most straight matches as captain in T20 international.
1. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
With a remarkable 55 matches from 11 Feb 2021 to 13 Nov 2022, Babar Azam stands tall at the pinnacle of this list.
Leading Pakistan, a team known for its cricketing prowess, Babar showcased his leadership skills, ensuring the team’s consistent performance throughout his tenure.
2. A Balbirnie (Ireland)
Close on the heels of Babar is Ireland’s A Balbirnie. With 52 matches from 15 Jan 2020 to 15 Jan 2023, Balbirnie’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating Ireland’s standing in the T20I arena.
His tenure as captain saw Ireland compete with determination and spirit.
A Vala’s leadership for Papua New Guinea is nothing short of inspirational. Captaining in 48 matches from 9 Feb 2016 to 24 Sep 2023, Vala has been a beacon of hope for his team, guiding them through challenges and celebrating their successes.
4. Asghar Afghan (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan‘s rise in international cricket has been meteoric, and Asghar Afghan’s leadership played a significant role in this journey.
With 46 matches from 9 Jul 2015 to 24 Feb 2019, Asghar’s captaincy was marked by strategic acumen and a deep understanding of the game.
5. MD Shanaka (Sri Lanka)
Last but not least, MD Shanaka’s leadership for Sri Lanka over 45 matches from 25 Jul 2021 to 8 Apr 2023 has been commendable.
Under his guidance, Sri Lanka displayed a blend of youthful exuberance and experienced strategy.
Top 5 Players Holding the Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain in Test Matches
Test matches are notorious for being extremely long, which puts a captain’s stamina, patience, and tactical understanding to the test.
There is no denying that a captain who holds the record for the most consecutive matches played in a test cricket series has demonstrated outstanding leadership over an extended period of time.
1. AR Border (Australia)
Topping the list is the legendary Allan Border from Australia. With a staggering 93 matches from 7 Dec 1984 to 25 Mar 1994, Border showcased a decade of consistent leadership.
His tenure as captain saw Australia rise to new heights, with his record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team standing as a testament to his resilience.
2. RT Ponting (Australia)
Another gem from Australia, Ricky Ponting, held the reins for 73 consecutive Test matches from 3 Nov 2004 to 26 Dec 2010.
Known for his aggressive style and sharp cricketing mind, Ponting’s record is a reflection of his dedication to leading the Australian side with vigor and determination.
3. SP Fleming (New Zealand)
Stephen Fleming, the stalwart from New Zealand, captained his team in 65 consecutive Test matches between 1 Jul 1999 and 15 Dec 2006.
His calm demeanor and strategic acumen made him one of the most respected captains in the cricketing world.
His record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team in Tests speaks volumes about his leadership qualities.
4. AN Cook (England)
Alastair Cook, the elegant left-handed batsman from England, led his team in 57 consecutive Test matches from 15 Nov 2012 to 16 Dec 2016.
Known for his patience and grit, Cook’s captaincy record is a testament to his unwavering commitment to English cricket.
5. MA Atherton (England)
Rounding off the top 5 is Michael Atherton from England. With 52 matches from 5 Aug 1993 to 20 Mar 1998, Atherton’s leadership was marked by his analytical approach and deep understanding of the game.
His place in the record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team is well-deserved.
Cricket Record for Most Matches as Captain: ODI, T20i, Test - 7cric Blog
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Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team: A Salute to Steadfast Leadership
To wrap up, the record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team stands as a towering milestone in cricket’s rich history.
It eloquently articulates a captain’s relentless drive, unwavering focus, and unparalleled leadership attributes.
As ardent followers of the sport, it’s our privilege to honor and recognize the sheer determination and commitment that underpins such a remarkable achievement.
Leadership, after all, is not just about guiding; it’s about consistently steering the ship with grace and distinction.
FAQ - Cricket Record for Most Consecutive Matches as Captain of a Team
What does the record for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team signify?
This record signifies a captain's consistent leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to their team over a series of consecutive matches.
Which formats of cricket are considered for this record?
The record spans across all three major formats: One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and Test matches.
Why is this record considered special in the cricketing world?
Beyond showcasing a captain's tactical acumen, this record highlights their physical and mental endurance, as well as their ability to inspire and lead a team consistently.
Has any captain held the record across all three formats?
While several captains have showcased exemplary leadership in individual formats, holding the record across all three is an extremely rare and commendable feat.
How has the role of a captain evolved over the years in cricket?
While the core essence of leadership remains, the role of a captain has evolved with changing game dynamics, strategies, and the introduction of newer formats, demanding adaptability and varied skill sets.
