Stats: Most consecutive Twenty20 matches as captain
The two-time IPL winner Gautam Gambhir, in yesterday’s match against Perth Scorchers, eclipsed MS Dhoni as the captain to lead in most number of consecutive T20 matches. The left-handed opener has now led his team in 60 consecutive matches.
The previous record was 59, held by Dhoni, who decided to play as a non-captain in a dead-rubber of CLT20, 2012 that ended his streak.
The CSK captain is currently on an active streak of 41 consecutive matches as skipper. However, William Porterfield (Ireland) and Daryl Mtchell (Worcestershire) with 45* and 44* matches have a better chance of overhauling Gambhir, in case the 32-year-old decides to relinquish his duties as captain anytime soon.
Notably, Porterfield is the only one to have led his country in more than 30 T20Is consecutively.
Most consecutive matches as captain in T20s
| # | Captain | Team | Matches | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gautam Gambhir (Ind) | Kolkata Knight Riders | 60* | 2011-2014 |
| 2 | MS Dhoni (Ind) | Chennai Super Kings | 59 | 2010-2012 |
| 3 | William Porterfield (Ire) | Ireland | 45* | 2010-2014 |
| 4 | Daryl Mtchell (Eng) | Worcestershire | 44* | 2011-2014 |
| 5 | Shane Warne (Aus) | Rajasthan Royals | 43 | 2008-2011 |
| 6 | Chris Adams (Eng) | Sussex | 42 | 2003-2008 |
| 7 | Adam Gilchrist (Aus) | Deccan Chargers | 42 | 2008-2010 |
| 8 | MS Dhoni (Ind) | Chennai Super Kings | 41* | 2013-2014 |
| 9 | Rahul Dravid (Ind) | Rajasthan Royals | 40 | 2010-2013 |
| 10 | Gareth Hopkins (NZ) | Auckland | 39 | 2010-2014 |
*Ongoing run
Just like the blink and miss style of the Twenty20s, there aren’t many captains who continued to be at the helm for long durations. However, there are some strong leaders who were trusted with the role for a longer period of time.
Not surprisingly, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has led his team in more Twenty20 matches than any other player and almost in twice the number of matches in comparison to his countryman and second in the list, Gautam Gambhir.
The wicket-keeper captain has led in a record 182 T20 matches while Gambhir is about to play his 100th match as skipper in the upcoming fixture involving Kolkata Knight Riders and Dolphins on the 29th of this month as part of the ongoing Champions League T20.
Most number of matches as captain in T20s”
| # | Captain | Team(s) | Span | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MS Dhoni | Chennai Super Kings, India, Indians | 2007-2014 | 182 |
| 2 | Gautam Gambhir | Delhi, Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders | 2009-2014 | 99 |
| 3 | Adam Gilchrist | Australia, Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Middlesex | 2007-2013 | 83 |
| 4 | Rob Key | England Lions, Kent | 2006-2014 | 93 |
| 5 | Darren Sammy | St Lucia, St Lucia Zouks, Sunrisers Hyderabad, West Indians, West Indies, West Indies XI, Windward Islands | 2006-2014 | 82 |
| 6 | Kumar Sangakkara | Deccan Chargers, Kandurata, Kings XI Punjab, Sri Lanka, Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2009-2013 | 80 |
| 7 | George Bailey | Australia, Australia A, Hobart Hurricanes, Kings XI Punjab, Tasmania | 2007-2014 | 70 |
| 8 | Shoaib Malik | Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines, Sialkot Stallions | 2005-2014 | 70 |
| 9 | Cameron White | Australia, Australia A, Deccan Chargers, Melbourne Stars, Somerset, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Victoria | 2006-2014 | 70 |
| 10 | Shane Warne | Hampshire, Melbourne Stars, Rajasthan Royals | 2004-2013 | 64 |
**Stats updated till September 24, 2014