In a candid reflection on the hierarchy of Indian cricket leadership, former captain Sourav Ganguly has named MS Dhoni as the nation’s greatest white-ball captain. Speaking at the TV9 WITT Summit 2026, Ganguly set aside his own formidable legacy to provide a definitive answer on the long-debated comparison between the two icons.
During the discussion. Ganguly used the ultimate metric of success to rank MS Dhoni higher than the rest of the Indian captains: silverware.
“MS Dhoni has won a World Cup, while I have been a runner-up,” Ganguly said, referencing India’s 2011 triumph compared to the 2003 final where India lost to Australia.
“He has led India in three World Cups. In our time, there was no T20I cricket – only the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. But MS Dhoni has won the World Cup, and I would say he was an outstanding white-ball captain.”
Dhoni, who made his international debut under Ganguly’s captaincy in 2004, went on to lead India to T20 World Cup glory in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013, becoming the first and only captain to compete the white-ball three-peat.
Ganguly, now serving as the Chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee and Head Coach of Pretoria Capitals, also expressed particular pride in Dhoni’s roots. Coming from Jharkhand – a region then largely overlooked by national selectors – Dhoni’s rise served as a catalyst for a new generation of talent.
“I am proud that he came from a small place like Jharkhand. Before him, not many players from there represented the country. To come from there and become such a legend is something to be proud of,” he said.
He highlighted the “Dhoni effect” on current stars like Ishan Kishan and teenage prodigies like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, noting that Dhoni built the confidence for others to believe.
“When someone from a state makes it big at the highest level, it creates an impact – it builds confidence. ‘If Mahi can do it, I can do it.’ Take Vaibhav Suryavanshi, for example. Yes, he is from Bihar, but he must have grown up watching Dhoni,” Ganguly said.
Dhoni played 12 ODIs under Ganguly’s captaincy, scoring 418 runs at a strike rate of 107.45. Interestingly, Ganguly also played under Dhoni’s leadership towards the twilight of his career, scoring 530 runs in 12 matches at an average of 40.76. Dhoni led India in Ganguly’s farewell Test in November 2008.
GANGULY A FAN OF YOUNG DHONI
While the world came to admire the “Captain Cool” persona of Dhoni, Ganguly admitted a personal preference for the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman who burst onto the scene with long hair and a fearless approach.
“I liked the young Dhoni more than the mature Dhoni because I haven’t seen many players who could hit sixes so effortlessly. The long-haired MS Dhoni – under pressure, he could clear the ropes at will,” he said.
For Ganguly, Dhoni’s success is also a point of regional pride.
“I feel proud because I am from Bengal and he is from Jharkhand. These regions haven’t produced as many cricketers as places like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru. That is why I take great pride in MS Dhoni.”
Dhoni will return to competitive action in IPL 2026. At 44, the former India captain continues to ply his trade for Chennai Super Kings, who begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
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