MS Dhoni’s unmatched Asia Cup double-title achievement
MS Dhoni remains the only captain in Asia Cup history to win the tournament in both formats, securing the ODI title in 2010 and the T20I crown in 2016, a feat yet unmatched.

India’s glorious history in the Asia Cup has been defined by strong leaders, and among them, Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds a special place. MS Dhoni is the sole captain in history to claim the Asia Cup title in both ODI and T20I formats.
In the 2010 edition, Dhoni’s men clinched the title in style, defeating Sri Lanka by 81 runs in the final of the ODI tournament. His calm yet tactical approach proved crucial in India’s success.
Six years later, Dhoni repeated the feat in the shortest format. In the 2016 T20I Asia Cup, Dhoni led India to an 8-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the final, highlighting his rare skill in securing titles in multiple formats.
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An Unique Milestone makes MSD Different from Other Skippers:
Although Dhoni’s record stands unmatched, other Indian skippers have also etched their names in Asia Cup history. Mohammad Azharuddin is among them, having lifted the trophy twice in the ODI format. Under his leadership, India secured the 1990 title with a convincing 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka and repeated the success five years later, once again beating the same opponents in the final.
Rohit Sharma has more recently carried forward that winning legacy. In 2018, Rohit Sharma led India to a nail-biting 3-wicket win over Bangladesh in the final, demonstrating calmness and effective leadership under high-pressure conditions. His second triumph came in 2023 when India produced a dominant display, crushing Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to seal yet another Asia Cup crown.
India hold the record for the most Asia Cup titles, having lifted the trophy on eight occasions. No other team has matched this remarkable consistency in the competition, highlighting India’s dominance. Their triumphs span across both ODI and T20I editions, showcasing adaptability, strength, and a winning mindset that continues to define their journey in the tournament.
Indian skippers who Proudly Lifted the Asia Cup Trophy:
India’s Asia Cup legacy is defined by iconic captains: Sunil Gavaskar (1984), Dilip Vengsarkar (1988), Mohammad Azharuddin (1990, 1995), MS Dhoni (2010, 2016), and Rohit Sharma (2018, 2023), reflecting the team’s consistent supremacy in the competition.
For Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Men in Blue as they kick off their campaign against UAE on September 10 in Dubai. The high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is set for September 14 at the same venue, followed by India’s final group-stage match against Oman in Abu Dhabi.
Year |
Captain |
Format |
Result |
1984 |
Sunil Gavaskar |
ODIs |
India crowned inaugural champions |
1988 |
Dilip Vengsarkar |
ODIs |
India lifted the trophy |
1990 |
Mohammad Azharuddin |
ODIs |
India defeated Sri Lanka by 7 wickets |
1995 |
Mohammad Azharuddin |
ODIs |
India defeated Sri Lanka again to retain title |
2010 |
MS Dhoni |
ODIs |
India beat Sri Lanka by 81 runs |
2016 |
MS Dhoni |
T20Is |
India beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets |
2018 |
Rohit Sharma |
ODIs |
India beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets |
2023 |
Rohit Sharma |
ODIs |
India beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets |
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