From Gavaskar’s pioneering win in Sharjah to Rohit Sharma’s modern dominance, India’s leaders have scripted Asia Cup history with grit and grace
The Asia
Cup 2025 is approaching fast. Suryakumar Yadav will captain a young Indian team in the UAE, while experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli observe from the sidelines. As the leadership baton is passed on, it’s worth remembering the five Indian captains who have already lifted this continental trophy — men who carried not just a trophy but the pride of a billion fans.
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Sunil Gavaskar: The pioneer of 1984
Sharjah, 1984. Cricket in the desert was still a novelty when Sunil Gavaskar made his mark in history. India, fresh from their 1983 World Cup victory, outperformed Sri Lanka and PAK in a round-robin tournament to win the first Asia Cup. Gavaskar's composed leadership gave India not only victory but also credibility as a cricketing power in Asia.
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Dilip Vengsarkar: Building on momentum
Four years later in Dhaka, it was Dilip Vengsarkar who carried the torch. India swept through the group stages before toppling Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final. The 1988 triumph was more than just silverware — it cemented India's dominance in the subcontinent and reinforced their reputation as a team that thrived under pressure.
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Mohammad Azharuddin: The two-time champion
If Gavaskar lit the flame, Mohammad Azharuddin fanned it into a blaze. He became the first Indian captain to lift the Asia Cup twice, guiding India to victory in 1990–91 at Eden Gardens and again in 1995 in Sharjah. Both times, Sri Lanka were the defeated finalists. Azharuddin's stylish batting and unflappable leadership ensured India strengthened their hold on the title during the 1990s.
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MS Dhoni: Master of formats
Then came a long drought. India waited 15 years before MS Dhoni restored their Asia Cup glory in 2010, thrashing Sri Lanka by 81 runs in Dambulla. Six years later, he made history again. In 2016, as the Cup adopted the T20 format for the first time, Dhoni led India to the trophy in Dhaka. In doing so, he became the only captain to win the Asia Cup in both ODIs and T20Is — proof of his rare adaptability and tactical genius.
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Rohit Sharma: The modern-day conqueror
If Dhoni embodied India's transition, Rohit Sharma embodied their modern dominance. Standing in for Virat Kohli in 2018, Rohit led India to a tense three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai. Five years later, in 2023, he was once again in charge as India defeated Sri Lanka convincingly by 10 wickets in Colombo — securing their eighth Asia Cup title. Calm, calculated, and unflappable, Rohit now joins Azharuddin as a two-time Asia Cup–winning captain.
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The baton to Suryakumar Yadav
From Gavaskar’s pioneering victory in Sharjah to Rohit’s modern mastery, these captains have upheld the legacy of Indian cricket in Asia with dignity and resilience.
As Suryakumar Yadav prepares to author his own chapter in September, the burden of history will lie on his shoulders. The Asia Cup has always been more than just a warm-up for a World Cup — it is a tournament where leadership is tested, and legends are made.
