The Asia Cup is more than a cricket tournament. It is where rivalries meet respect and captains define eras. Since 1984, the competition has produced unforgettable matches and leaders.
Fans often want a single, reliable Asia Cup winners and captains year-wise list. This guide brings it all together, from the first edition in Sharjah to the latest in 2023.
Your cricket matters — so does knowing the history behind every title.
Quick Facts
- First edition: 1984 (Sharjah, UAE)
- Governed by: Asian Cricket Council (ACC)
- Formats: ODI and T20I
- Most successful team: India (8 titles)
- Latest winner: India (2023)
Asia Cup Winners and Captains (1984–2023)
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Captain of Winner | Host | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | India | Sri Lanka | Sunil Gavaskar | UAE | ODI |
| 1986 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Duleep Mendis | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 1988 | India | Sri Lanka | Dilip Vengsarkar | Bangladesh | ODI |
| 1990–91 | India | Sri Lanka | Mohammad Azharuddin | India | ODI |
| 1995 | India | Sri Lanka | Mohammad Azharuddin | UAE | ODI |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka | India | Arjuna Ranatunga | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2000 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Moin Khan | Bangladesh | ODI |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka | India | Marvan Atapattu | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2008 | Sri Lanka | India | Mahela Jayawardene | Pakistan | ODI |
| 2010 | India | Sri Lanka | MS Dhoni | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2012 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Misbah-ul-Haq | Bangladesh | ODI |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Angelo Mathews | Bangladesh | ODI |
| 2016 | India | Bangladesh | MS Dhoni | Bangladesh | T20I |
| 2018 | India | Bangladesh | Rohit Sharma | UAE | ODI |
| 2022 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Dasun Shanaka | UAE | T20I |
| 2023 | India | Sri Lanka | Rohit Sharma | Pakistan & Sri Lanka | ODI |
Captains Who Made History
Sunil Gavaskar (India, 1984)
Led India to the first Asia Cup title. Calm, methodical captaincy set the standard.
Duleep Mendis (Sri Lanka, 1986)
Guided Sri Lanka to their first title at home, proving the team’s growth in the 1980s.
Mohammad Azharuddin (India, 1990–91, 1995)
Steady leader who maintained India’s dominance in the early ’90s.
Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka, 1997)
Inspired Sri Lanka’s golden era with tactical brilliance and team unity.
Moin Khan (Pakistan, 2000)
Delivered Pakistan’s first Asia Cup victory after years of near-misses.
MS Dhoni (India, 2010 & 2016)
Known as Captain Cool, adapted to both ODI and T20I formats.
Rohit Sharma (India, 2018 & 2023)
Modern-day leader with calm decision-making and trust in younger players.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka, 2022)
Led an unfancied squad to a surprise T20 Asia Cup win.
Asia Cup Titles by Country
| Team | Titles | Runner-Up Finishes | Finals Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Sri Lanka | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Bangladesh | 0 | 3 | 3 |
ODI vs T20I Captains
The Asia Cup started as an ODI event. In 2016, it added T20I editions to match the global calendar.
- ODI-winning captains: Gavaskar, Azharuddin, Ranatunga, Atapattu, Jayawardene, Dhoni, Rohit Sharma.
- T20-winning captains: MS Dhoni (India 2016), Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka 2022).
The format change tested leadership styles and strategies.
Key Highlights from the Winners & Captains List
- Most titles as captain: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma (2 each).
- Bangladesh heartbreak: Three finals, no titles yet.
- Host advantage: Sri Lanka often wins at home; India successful in neutral venues.
- Record win: India dismissed Sri Lanka for 50 in the 2023 final.
People Also Ask
Who has won the Asia Cup most times?
India, with eight titles.
Who captained India in the first Asia Cup?
Sunil Gavaskar in 1984.
Who captained Sri Lanka to their first title?
Duleep Mendis in 1986.
Who won Asia Cup 2023?
India under Rohit Sharma.
Which captain has the most Asia Cup titles?
MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, two each.
Which countries have never won the Asia Cup?
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, UAE, Hong Kong.
Who took the most wickets in Asia Cup history?
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 30 wickets).
Who scored the most runs in Asia Cup history?
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka, 1220 runs).
Who was the first captain to win the Asia Cup twice?
Mohammad Azharuddin of India (1990–91 and 1995).
Which captain led Pakistan to its first Asia Cup title?
Moin Khan in 2000.
Has any captain won the Asia Cup in both ODI and T20 formats?
Yes, MS Dhoni — ODI (2010) and T20I (2016).
Who captained Sri Lanka to the 2022 Asia Cup title?
Dasun Shanaka.
Which captain holds the record for the biggest win in an Asia Cup final?
Rohit Sharma led India to a 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the 2023 final.
Which captain led India to victory in the first T20 Asia Cup?
MS Dhoni in 2016.
Who captained Sri Lanka during their first Asia Cup win at home?
Duleep Mendis in 1986.
Which captain has appeared in the most Asia Cup finals?
Arjuna Ranatunga of Sri Lanka, with multiple final appearances through the 1990s.
Has Bangladesh ever had a captain in an Asia Cup final?
Yes. Mushfiqur Rahim (2012) and Mashrafe Mortaza (2018) captained Bangladesh in finals.
Which captain won the most recent Asia Cup?
Rohit Sharma led India to the 2023 title.
Why This List Matters
The Asia Cup winners and captains list is more than a statistic. It’s a timeline of leadership and perseverance. From Gavaskar to Rohit Sharma, every captain added a chapter to Asia’s cricket story.
This same idea applies to your own cricket journey. Every match you captain or score — even at grassroots level — matters. On CricHeroes, you can record and relive it.
Takeaways
The Asia Cup is Asia’s cricket heartbeat. Knowing the captains and winners gives context to rivalries, records, and memories. From the first edition in 1984 to the latest in 2023, the tournament has grown while staying true to its roots.
Your story deserves to be scored. Start your match today on CricHeroes.
