Indian cricket has seen captains lead from the front in high-pressure ICC ODI finals. Some of the finest batting performances have come from Indian skippers in these crucial matches. Here are the top three highest scores by Indian captains in ICC ODI finals.
- Rohit Sharma’s 76 vs New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final.
- MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 vs Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final.
- Sourav Ganguly’s 117 vs New Zealand in the 2000 Champions Trophy final.
3. Rohit Sharma – 76 vs New Zealand (2025 Champions Trophy Final)
Rohit Sharma showcased his class in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium. The Indian skipper played a fiery knock of 76 runs off 83 balls, setting the tone for India’s chase of 252 runs.
Sharma reached his half-century in just 41 balls, dominating the New Zealand pace attack early. His innings included seven boundaries and three sixes before he fell to Rachin Ravindra. He also built a crucial century stand with Shubman Gill, laying a strong foundation for India.
2. MS Dhoni – 91 vs Sri Lanka (2011 World Cup Final)*
MS Dhoni played one of the most iconic innings in Indian cricket history during the 2011 ICC World Cup final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Batting at number five, Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls, guiding India to a historic victory.
Arriving at a pressure situation when India was 114-3, Dhoni’s calculated aggression saw him build a 109-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. Facing bowlers like Lasith Malinga and Muthiah Muralitharan, he struck eight boundaries and two sixes. His legendary match-winning six sealed India’s first World Cup win in 28 years.
1. Sourav Ganguly – 117 vs New Zealand (2000 Champions Trophy Final)
Sourav Ganguly delivered a sensational 117-run knock off 130 balls in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Nairobi. Opening with Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly reached his fifty in 67 balls and then converted it into a century in 111 deliveries.
His innings was decorated with eight boundaries and four sixes, powering India to 264-6 in 50 overs. Unfortunately, despite Ganguly’s brilliance, New Zealand chased down the target, clinching their first ICC ODI title.
Highest Scores by Indian Captains in ICC ODI Finals
| Rank | Player | Score | Opponent | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sourav Ganguly | 117 | New Zealand | Champions Trophy Final | 2000 |
| 2 | MS Dhoni | 91* | Sri Lanka | World Cup Final | 2011 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | 76 | New Zealand | Champions Trophy Final | 2025 |
Notable Facts:
- Ganguly’s 117 remains the highest by an Indian captain in an ICC ODI final.
- Dhoni’s 91 is the best performance in a World Cup final by an Indian skipper.*
- Rohit Sharma’s 76 was a crucial knock in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy final.
These performances define leadership under pressure, where Indian captains have stepped up in ICC finals. Each innings contributed significantly to India’s rich cricketing history.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
