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MS Dhoni is the only captain to win the Asia Cup in both ODI and T20I formats, leading India to titles in 2010 and 2016. Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in 2025.
MS Dhoni has won the Asia Cup twice as India’s skipper (X)
India’s dominance in the Asia Cup has been shaped by legendary captains, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni stands apart from the rest for a reason.
Dhoni proudly stands as the only skipper to lift the trophy in both the ODI and T20I formats.
Asia Cup 2010: Glory in the 50-Over Format
Dhoni’s first Asia Cup triumph came in 2010, when India defeated Sri Lanka by 81 runs in the final at Dambulla. It was India’s fifth Asia Cup crown and Dhoni’s maiden continental success as captain.
Under his leadership, India combined experience with youthful energy. Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and a young Virat Kohli delivered with the bat, while Pragyan Ojha’s left-arm spin proved decisive in the summit clash.
Asia Cup 2016: India Triumph in the T20 Edition
Six years later, Dhoni made history again by guiding India to another Asia Cup crown, but this time in the T20 format. The 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh was the first edition played as a T20 tournament, doubling as a precursor to the T20 World Cup that followed.
India dominated the competition from start to finish, winning all their matches. In the final against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Dhoni’s men chased down the target with eight wickets in hand. Virat Kohli anchored the batting, Rohit Sharma provided top-order firepower, and the bowling attack—led by Ashish Nehra and a young Jasprit Bumrah—ensured India never faltered.
By lifting the trophy, Dhoni became the only captain to conquer the Asia Cup in both formats, underlining his adaptability as a leader.
While Dhoni’s achievement remains unique, Mohammad Azharuddin (1990, 1995) and Rohit Sharma (2018, 2023) also hold the distinction of winning the Asia Cup twice, though only in ODIs.
India’s Asia Cup Pedigree
India remain the most successful side in the tournament’s history, with a record eight Asia Cup titles.
The list of Indian captains who have lifted the trophy includes:
- Sunil Gavaskar (1984)
- Dilip Vengsarkar (1988)
- Mohammad Azharuddin (1990, 1995)
- MS Dhoni (2010, 2016)
- Rohit Sharma (2018, 2023)
In 2025, the baton has passed to Suryakumar Yadav, who will captain India as they begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against hosts UAE in Dubai.
The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash follows on September 14, also in Dubai, before the Men in Blue wrap up their group-stage fixtures against Oman in Abu Dhabi.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
September 10, 2025, 14:32 IST
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