Like young MS Dhoni more, he is India’s greatest white-ball captain: Sourav Ganguly
In a candid take on the Indian cricket leadership hierarchy, former captain Sourav Ganguly has described MS Dhoni as the country’s greatest white-ball captain. Speaking at the TV9 WITT Summit 2026, Ganguly set aside his own formidable legacy to give a definitive answer on the long-standing comparison between the two icons.
During discussion. Ganguly used the ultimate metric of success to rank MS Dhoni above the rest of the Indian captains: silverware.
“MS Dhoni has won the World Cup, while I have been the runner-up,” Ganguly said, referring to India’s 2011 win. 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 excellent white-ball captain.”
Dhoni, who made his international debut under the captaincy of Ganguly in 2004, led India to the T20 World Cup glory in 2007. ODI World Cup 2011 And in the 2013 Champions Trophy, he became the first and only captain to compete in a white-ball three-peat.
Ganguly, who now serves as the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chairman and Pretoria Capitals head coach, also expressed special pride in Dhoni’s roots. Hailing from Jharkhand – a region that was largely ignored by the national selectors at the time – Dhoni’s rise served as a catalyst for a new generation of talent.
He said, “I am proud that he has come from a small place like Jharkhand. Before him, not many players from there represented the country. It is a matter of pride to come from there and become so great.”
He highlighted the “Dhoni effect” on current stars like Ishan Kishan and teenage talented players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, noting that Dhoni instilled confidence in others.
“When someone from a state does something big at the highest level, it creates an impact – it creates 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 ODI matches under the captaincy of Ganguly, in which he scored 418 runs at a strike rate of 107.45. Interestingly, Ganguly also played under Dhoni towards the end of his career and scored 530 runs in 12 matches at an average of 40.76. Dhoni led India in Ganguly’s farewell Test in November 2008.
Ganguly is a fan of young Dhoni
While the world had come to admire Dhoni’s “Captain Cool” persona, Ganguly admitted personal liking for the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman who came on the field with long hair and a fearless approach.
“I like the young Dhoni more than the mature Dhoni because I haven’t seen many players who can hit sixes with such ease. The long-haired MS Dhoni – under pressure, could hit a six whenever he wanted,” he said.
For Ganguly, Dhoni’s success is also a matter of regional pride.
“I feel proud because I am from Bengal and he is from Jharkhand. These regions have not produced as many cricketers as places like Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru. That is why I am very proud of MS Dhoni.”
Dhoni will return to competitive action in IPL 2026. At the age of 44, the former India captain is plying his trade for Chennai Super Kings, who will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
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