• Home
  • Top Most
  • Ipl Captains With The Most Appearances In Qualifier 1

IPL Captains With The Most Appearances In Qualifier 1

Poulomi Chakraborty

Shreyas Iyer Led PBKS To Qualifier 1 (Source: @irfan_speak786/x.com)Shreyas Iyer Led PBKS To Qualifier 1 (Source: @irfan_speak786/x.com)

The ongoing IPL 2025 has entered one of the most entertaining phases as the playoffs are just a few days away. After the stunning last match win over the Mumbai Indians, the Punjab Kings have secured their place in Qualifier 1, being top of the table.

Since taking charge, Shreyas Iyer has scripted history, guiding his team into the top 2 for the first time in 11 years. This marks his third appearance in Qualifier 1 as captain. Let's explore the list of captains who’ve led their sides into Qualifier 1 the most times.

3. Shreyas Iyer - 3 Times

A batter like Shreyas Iyer is a rare gem in Indian cricket, and as a captain, he's just as iconic. While leading the Delhi Capitals, Shreyas led the team to the qualifier 1 in 2020. But the Capitals faced a defeat against the Mumbai Indians. While captaining Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, he led the team to the playoffs and faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the qualifier 1.

Most recently, while leading the Punjab Kings, Iyer guided his side to a clinical win over Mumbai Indians in their last group stage clash, securing a place in Qualifier 1. 

2. Rohit Sharma - 5 Times

After taking the reins from Ricky Ponting, Rohit Sharma wrote the story of Mumbai Indians' redemption. In 2013, he took the team to the qualifier one, where Mumbai faced a 48 run defeat to the CSK. 

In 2015, MI played the qualifier 1 against CSK. After missing out in 2016, they played the qualifier 1 again in 2017, this time against the Rising Pune Supergiants.

In 2019, Rohit Sharma led the team again into the qualifier 1, where they faced their arch rival, CSK. The following year, they crushed Delhi Capitals by 57 runs in Qualifier 1. With five such appearances under his captaincy, Rohit has firmly etched his name among the greatest leaders in IPL history.

1. MS Dhoni - 7 Times

Amidst all the international glories, MS Dhoni’s IPL legacy as the captain is still untouchable. While guiding the Chennai Super Kings over the years, he left a forever mark. In 2011, he guided the CSK for the first time into Qualifier 1, where they faced RCB. 

In 2013, MS Dhoni and Co. played Qualifier 1 again and faced the Mumbai Indians. A similar story repeated in 2015, where both the arch rivals locked horns in Qualifier 1 again.

In 2018, Dhoni guided the side to another Qualifier 1 clash where they beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the next year, they faced the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1. 

In 2021, they played Qualifier 1 against the Delhi Capitals. In 2023, Dhoni made his final Qualifier 1 appearance as captain, cementing his legacy as the leader who took his team to this stage more times than any other captains.