Former RCB star picks between MS Dhoni & Rohit Sharma for the better T20 captain ahead of IPL 2026

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Moeen Ali called MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma the two best T20 captains of all time. However, he admitted picking between them is close, but went with Dhoni as the best T20 skipper.

Rohit and Dhoni have each led India to a T20 World Cup title in 2024 and 2007, respectively. The legendary duo have also led their IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), to five titles each.

When discussing the GOAT T20 skipper on the Beard before Wicket YouTube channel, Ali said (9:36):

"I think Rohit Sharma is up there. Obviously MS Dhoni as well. But it's hard to choose the best out of them two. If I'll have to be biased, I played with MS and he was the best. But I say Rohit because he won it five times with MI but also with a different team (Deccan chargers) before. MS has also lost five finals. But MS has won every trophy as captain but now so has Rohit. Still I'll go MS. He's a genius as well tactically."

He added:

"They both are very similar actually on how they carry themselves. I don't know Rohit that well but from what I've heard from the players, he's really approachable and a really nice guy."

Incidentally, Ali has played with and under Dhoni for CSK from 2021 to 2024, helping the franchise win titles in 2021 and 2023.

"MS would be it" - Adil Rashid

England spinner Adil Rashid also weighed in on the GOAT T20 captain and picked former CSK skipper MS Dhoni at the top of the mountain. The 44-year-old is the most successful IPL captain, winning 136 out of his 235 games. Dhoni also led India to 41 wins in his 72 T20Is as captain.

"Even for me, when I am watching how he goes about things, MS would be it. I've also watched a bit more of him and how he goes about it tactically as well. In certain situations, how he sets the field from behind the stumps, and at the same time, talking to the bowlers on what to do and what not to do. And he is a finisher. It's a tough one but I am going to go MS," said Rashid (via the aforementioned source).

While Rohit is second on the list of most wins as captain in the IPL with 87, he is the most successful Indian T20I skipper with 49 wins in 62 outings.