Asia Cup: The captains of all teams have always given it their all on a cricket pitch to lead their side by setting examples. It’s the skipper of a side which sets the standards for the rest of his teammates to follow in order to see his team cross the finish line before the opposition.
All the strategies, gameplan and a dozen other decisions that are to be made in regard to the team are the responsibility of the captain. Thus it’s the captain whose knowledge of the game and sheer planning determines how far his team could excel in a particular tournament.
Over the years several captains have led their side in significant tournaments like the Asia Cup. Many of them have successfully been able to lead their team to glory and thus set examples for the future generations to follow.
It’s through these victories that the players have gone on to become legendary captains in their future and achieved greater names for their wonderful leadership abilities.
It’s time for us to have a look at the top three batsmen with the most runs as a captain in a single edition of the Asia Cup.
3. Arjuna Ranatunga (272 runs)
One of the most famous performances in a single edition of the Asia Cup by a captain was from Sri Lankan Skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga back in the year 1997.
It was the 6th edition of the tournament and was being played by Sri Lanka’s own captain Arjuna Ranatunga not only lead his side to a fantastic win in the trophy but also made several crucial contributions on his own with the bat too. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 272 runs in 4 innings.
His most memorable knock came in the match against India wherein he helped his side chase down a 228-run target easily while himself scoring a magnificent century (131). He has also been declared the player of the tournament for his outstanding performances with the bat throughout the tournament.
2. Rohit Sharma (317 runs)
Rohit Sharma finds the second spot on this list due to his wonderful performances while leading India in the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup. With Virat Kohli being rested for the Asia Cup 2018, Rohit Sharma for the chance to lead India for the first time in a full member’s 50-over tournament, as big as the Asia Cup.
Rohit didn’t let this opportunity go off as he finished the tournament as the second highest run scorer after his own opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. Rohit smashed a total of 317 runs in 5 innings which included two fifties and a century as well.
His most memorable innings in the 2018 Asia Cup came against Pakistan wherein he scored a magnificent century to help India register another memorable win over its arch rivals on a big stage. Thanks to his consistent performances throughout the tournament India managed to lift the Asia Cup title for a record 7th time.
1. MS Dhoni (327 runs)
The best batting performance by a captain in a single edition of the Asia Cup was from MS Dhoni back in 2008. M.S. Dhoni who had just begun to take giant strides in world cricket as a leader was all set to lead India in the Asia Cup 2008.
In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian batting line up was strengthened by their young captain who scored a fantastic 327 runs in 5 innings while batting lower down the order for the team’s sake. Dhoni’s tally included two fifties and a century too that year in the Asia Cup.
His best performance came against Hing Kong wherein he smashed a fantastic century and ended with 109* as India strolled to a 256-run win. This is so far the best individual batting performance in a single edition of the Asia Cup by my captain.
Also Read:- Top 3 Indian players with most sixes in Asia Cup history