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Cricket is a sport where experience often plays a crucial role in leadership, especially on the grand stage of ICC tournaments. Captains who have combined skill, strategy, and maturity have led their teams to historic victories, sometimes well into their thirties. The 2025 cricket calendar was particularly memorable, highlighted by South Africa’s historic triumph in the World Test Championship (WTC), adding a new name to the elite list of oldest captains to clinch ICC titles. Let us all dive into the top five oldest captains who have lifted ICC trophies, culminating with the recent heroics of Temba Bavuma.
South Africa’s historic WTC 2025 triumph against Australia
In June 2025, South Africa etched their name in cricketing history by winning their maiden World Test Championship title. Under the astute leadership of Bavuma, the Proteas overcame the formidable defending champions Australia in a thrilling summit clash at Lord’s. This victory was not just a testament to South Africa’s resilience and skill but also marked their second ICC trophy overall, ending a long wait since their 1998 ICC Knock Out Trophy win. Bavuma, at 35 years and 72 days old, showcased exemplary captaincy, blending tactical nous with calmness under pressure, guiding his team through a fiercely contested series to ultimate glory.
Top 5 oldest captains to win ICC titles
- Imran Khan (39 years 172 days)
Imran Khan remains the oldest captain to win an ICC trophy, a record that stands tall in cricket history. At 39 years and 172 days, he led Pakistan to their first and only 50-over World Cup victory in 1992, held in Australia. The final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw Pakistan edge past England by 22 runs in a gripping encounter. Imran was instrumental with both bat and ball, scoring a vital 72 runs and taking a key wicket during the chase, epitomizing his all-round leadership and cementing his legacy as a cricketing icon.
- Rohit Sharma (37 years and 313 days)
India’s Rohit Sharma, known for his elegant batting and sharp captaincy, was 37 years and 313 days old when he led India to their third ICC Champions Trophy title in February 2025. The final against New Zealand was a high-stakes affair where Rohit’s top score of 76 runs was pivotal in chasing down the target. His composed leadership and batting prowess ensured India’s dominance in the tournament, reinforcing his status as one of the finest captains in modern cricket.
- Rohit Sharma (37 years and 60 days)
Earlier in 2025, Rohit had already made headlines by ending India’s ICC trophy drought in the T20 World Cup. At 37 years and 60 days, he captained India to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final. Although his personal contribution with the bat was modest (9 runs), his tactical acumen and timely decisions on the field were crucial in navigating India to a hard-fought win in a must-win game.
- Brian Lara (35 years and 146 days)
Brian Lara, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, also made his mark as a captain by leading the West Indies to their first ICC Champions Trophy title in 2004. At 35 years and 146 days old, Lara’s leadership was instrumental in the final against England in England itself, where the Windies secured a narrow two-wicket victory. His experience and batting genius inspired the team to overcome the hosts on their home soil, adding a significant chapter to West Indies cricket history.
- Temba Bavuma (35 years and 72 days)
The latest addition to this distinguished list is South Africa’s Bavuma. At 35 years and 72 days, he captained the Proteas to their maiden World Test Championship title in 2025. Bavuma’s leadership was marked by strategic brilliance and calm under pressure, guiding South Africa to a historic victory over Australia at Lord’s. This ICC triumph was South Africa’s first in the Test format and their second overall, ending a long wait for an ICC title and highlighting Bavuma’s emergence as a world-class leader.
