This is the list of captains of Indian cricket team who have lead the team in at least one international cricket match. A captain is the appointed leader of the team, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of the other players. As in other sports, the captain is usually experienced and has good communication skills and is likely to be one of the most regular members of the team, as the captain is responsible for the team selection. Before the starting of the game in cricket, the captains toss which decides which team will bat first. During the match the captain decides the team's batting order, who will bowl each over, and where each fielder will be positioned.[1][2]
Cricket was introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the English in the 17th and 18th centuries.[3] Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body of cricket in India.[4] The BCCI was established on 1 December 1928 at Madras and joined the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1926 which later became the International Cricket Council.[5][6] The captains of the national teams are appointed by BCCI and the India national cricket team selectors appointed by BCCI choose the other players for the national teams.
On 25 June 1932, India became the sixth nation to play test cricket and the men's cricket team was led by C. K. Nayudu against England at Lord's.[7] Nayudu led India in the first international cricket match held in India on 15 December 1933 when Gymkhana Ground in Bombay hosted the only match during England's tour of India.[8][9] Vijay Hazare led India to its first win in fifth test of home series against England on 10 February 1952 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Madras.[10][11] Ajit Wadekar led India in its first ever ODI on 13 July 1974 at Leeds against England.[12] On 1 December 2006, Virender Sehwag captained India in its first T20 International against South Africa at Johannesberg.[13]
Shantha Rangaswamy led the women's team in their first women's test match against West Indies at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore on 31 October 1976.[14] Diana Edulji led India in its first WODI during the 1978 Women's Cricket World Cup against England on 1 January 1978 at Eden Gardens in Calcutta.[15] Mithali Raj captained India in the first WT20I on 5 August 2006 against England at Derby.[16]
Krishnamachari Srikkanth was the captain for the first youth test for India U-19 team against Pakistan U-19 which began on 20 January 1979 at Wankhede Stadium in Bombay while Ravi Shastri captained India U-19 in the first youth ODI in 1981 against England U-19.[17][18]
Harmanpreet Kaur is current captain of the women's team in all formats and Rohit Sharma is current captain of men's team in Tests and ODIs.