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Highest Scores By An Indian Captain In Finals Of ICC ODI Events

Aakash Saini

Highest scores by an Indian captain in finals of ICC ODI events [Source: AP Photos]Highest scores by an Indian captain in finals of ICC ODI events [Source: AP Photos]

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Over the course of India’s rich cricketing history, Indian skippers, particularly batting captains, have often risen to the occasion in high-profile scenarios. Leading by example, several Team India captains have delivered remarkable performances, even in high-stakes matches like tournament finals.

After Rohit Sharma punched out a fighting half-century for the ‘Men in Blue’ in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand, here is an updated look at three Indian captains who have recorded the highest individual scores in the finals of ICC ODI events, including the Champions Trophy and World Cup.

3. Rohit Sharma 76 vs New Zealand, 2025 Champions Trophy final

Rohit Sharma 76 vs New Zealand [Source: @BCCI/x]Rohit Sharma 76 vs New Zealand [Source: @BCCI/x]

Indian captain Rohit Sharma belted New Zealand bowlers with an attacking 76 from 83 balls in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium. The legendary Indian opener raced to his half-century from just 41 deliveries, before employing a cautious approach to preserve wickets from one end of the crease.

Putting New Zealand fast bowlers out of the equation early in the innings, Sharma also countered the ‘Black Caps’ spinners with a similar panache. Lacing his knock with seven boundaries and three huge sixes, the cricketer shared over 100 runs with opening partner Shubman Gill, before a rash shot off Rachin Ravindra accounted for his downfall in India’s chase of 252 runs.


2. MS Dhoni 91* vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup final

MS Dhoni 91* vs Sri Lanka [Source: @ICC/x]MS Dhoni 91* vs Sri Lanka [Source: @ICC/x]

MS Dhoni arguably unfurled the innings of his career in the final of the 2011 World Cup in front of a buzzing Wankhede crowd in Mumbai. Batting at number five and arriving to the crease at a tricky 114-3 in a tight chase of 274, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter came up clutch for Team India with an unbeaten 91 from just 79 balls.

The then Indian skipper reverently promoted himself up the order over an in-form Yuvraj Singh to retain the right-left combination against Sri Lankan bowlers. In doing so, Dhoni stitched together a match-defining partnership of 109 runs for the fourth wicket with number three and fellow half-centurion Gautam Gambhir.

Going up against the likes of Lasith Malinga and all-time spin great Muthiah Muralitharan, MS Dhoni whacked eight elegant boundaries and two scorching sixes, including one to notch up the winning runs as Team India ended its 28-year-long curse by lifting the 2011 World Cup title.

While Dhoni’s run-chase masterclass from the celebrated game marks one of the highest individual scores ever recorded by any Indian captain in an ICC ODI event, it continues to remain the best-ever batting performance by an Indian skipper (or any Indian player) in a World Cup final by a landslide.

1. Sourav Ganguly 117 vs New Zealand, 2000 Champions Trophy final

Sourav Ganguly 117 vs New Zealand [Source: @ICC/x]Sourav Ganguly 117 vs New Zealand [Source: @ICC/x]

Just a couple of days after plundering a near run-a-ball 141* against South Africa in the semifinal of the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy, then Indian captain Sourav Ganguly towered over New Zealand bowlers in the final at the Gymkhana Club Ground in Nairobi, Kenya.

Opening the innings with Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly meticulously reached his half-century from 67 balls, and converted it into his second successive ODI ton by the time of reaching 111 deliveries, doing so with eight boundaries and four huge sixes to help his cause. The legendary Indian opener was dismissed by Nathan Astle at 117 off 130 balls shortly after bringing up his ninth four of the day.

Ganguly’s top-scoring act propelled Team India to a competitive 264-6 from 50 overs after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Unfortunately for the ‘Men in Blue’, New Zealand overhauled its target with a couple of deliveries to spare to bag their maiden ICC ODI title.