Top 5 longest winning streaks as a captain in IPL history ft. Rajat Patidar

Creating and maintaining a streak has to be one of the most challenging tasks for a captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL), given its relentless and sheer intensity. With a crammed schedule boasting home and away games in quick succession, it does not take much for a team to lose momentum.

However, in spite of these challenges, there have been a legion of captains who have inspired their respective franchises to a winning run in the competition, forging streaks that are quite difficult to replicate. There have only been five captains in almost two decades who have overseen their team win atleast seven matches in a row.

On that note, let us take a look at the top five longest winning streaks as a captain in IPL history.

#1 Gautam Gambhir (10 matches; IPL 2014 and 2015)

The legendary Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, who has two IPL titles to his name as captain, holds the record for the longest winning streaks as a captain in IPL history. Gautam Gambhir led KKR to 10 consecutive wins, which began midway through the illustrious 2014 campaign, and lasted until the early stages of the subsequent campaign in 2015.

KKR were in a tricky spot in IPL 2014, winning only two out of their first seven matches. However, the franchise completely turned things around in the second half of the tournament, winning nine matches on the trot, including the Qualifier 1 and the final, to win the title.

Gambhir extended his winning run to 10 matches as captain after guiding KKR to a three-wicket triumph over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their season opener. However, the illustrious run came to an end soon after as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated them by three wickets at the Eden Gardens.

#2 Rajat Patidar (8 matches; IPL 2025 and 2026)

The current RCB skipper enjoyed a fairytale first campaign as leader after guiding them to their first-ever IPL trophy. During the title-winning campaign, the team only lost one of their last eight matches. Patidar was the captain in six of those wins, with Jitesh Sharma leading the side in the remaining two matches.

The streak began with a dominant seven-wicket win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur and included their iconic wins over the same opposition in the Qualifier 1 and the final.

Patidar carried the streak into the 2026 campaign as well, extending it to eight matches on the trot after home wins against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, he could not reach closer to Gambhir’s tally after a six-wicket loss to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

#3 Shane Warne (8 matches; IPL 2008)

The legendary spinner, who led RR to the IPL title in the very first edition, oversaw a eight-match winning streak. RR won eight of their last nine matches that season, including the knockouts. Their sole loss during the run came when Shane Watson took over as captain in Warne’s absence.

RR had earlier scripted a five-match winning streak in the early phase of the campaign, but the momentum was dented by the Mumbai Indians (MI). Shane Warne triggered yet another streak, beginning with a comfortable eight-wicket win over the now-defunct Deccan Chargers.

Shane Warne, however, did not have the opportunity to resume the streak in IPL 2009 as RR were bowled out for 58 in their season opener against RCB, and lost by 75 runs.

#4 Shreyas Iyer (8 matches; IPL 2024 and 2025)

Regarded as one of the greatest modern-day IPL captains after leading the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the finals, and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third title, Shreyas Iyer also constructed a lengthy winning strak as captain.

Shreyas Iyer led KKR to six consecutive wins in IPL 2024 to guide them to the trophy, including dominant wins in Qualifier 1 and the final. The streak began with a comfortable seven-wicket win over his former team DC at the Eden Gardens.

He was released from KKR during the off-season, and switched over to the Punjab Kings, where he began his reign with consecutive wins to extend the streak to eight wins in a row. However, he could not carry it further as PBKS suffered a 50-run loss to RR at home.

#5 MS Dhoni (7 matches; IPL 2013)

The legendary MS Dhoni guided CSK to seven consecutive wins midway through the IPL 2013 campaign after a mixed start. Four matches into the season, the team had won twice, and lost twice, and were seeking momentum.

CSK compiled a dominant 86-run win over the Delhi Daredevils (now renamed to Delhi Capitals) to kick-start a stellar run to race to the top of the table. Over the next three matches they completed successful run chases, and the following three matches saw scores being successfully defended.

Their streak was ended by their rivals MI at the Wankhede Stadium as they were bowled out for 79 while atempting to chase a 140-run target.