The role of coaches and support staff in the Indian Premier League (IPL) frequently takes a back seat as players take center stage. However, it cannot be denied that the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes play a significant role in the franchises' success. They devise strategies that cricketers can put into action on the field. Let us look at the best IPL coaches of all time.
1. Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming is the current head coach of the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings and a former New Zealand national cricket team captain. He took over as head coach in the IPL in 2009, and CSK has won the championship four times since then. Stephen Fleming is the most experienced and currently serves as the Indian Premier League's head coach.
2. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is a former Australian cricketer and one of the world's most successful captains. He also led Australia to two International World Cup victories. He began his IPL career as the captain of the Mumbai Indians before being named coach in 2015. In the 2015 season, Pointing led the team to a respectable overall record with a win percentage of 55.17. In the 2018 season, Ponting joined the Delhi Capitals. The Delhi Capitals made the playoffs in 2019 and the finals in 2020 under his leadership.
3. Tom Moody
Tom Moody coached Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2007, guiding them to the World Cup final in 2007. He is the IPL's fourth most experienced head coach, having led two franchises. Tom was the captain of Kings XI Punjab for three seasons, from 2008 to 2010. Under him, Kings XI Punjab played some excellent cricket and advanced to the playoffs. He joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. Under his leadership, the Sunrisers made the playoffs five times and won the championship in 2016.
4. Ashish Nehra
Former India international bowler Ashish Nehra is the head coach of the Gujarat Titans, a position he has held since the team's inception ahead of the 2022 season. Nehra hopes to go back-to-back in his first two seasons as an IPL head coach, which would be an incredible accomplishment.
5. Mark Boucher
Boucher coached the Proteas from December 2019 until the T20 World Cup in Australia. Despite failing to break South Africa's ICC jinx, he had a reasonably successful tenure. Former New Zealand speedster Shane Bond has been with the MI squad for a few seasons and has done well. Pollard will begin his coaching career with MI as a batting coach, while former Auckland batter James Pamment will remain as their fielding coach.
6. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara, RR's director of cricket and head coach, is a legend. Last year, he led the franchise to its first IPL final since 2008. As a fast-bowling coach, Lasith Malinga has been an exciting addition to the franchise. Trevor Penney is an assistant coach, and Dishant Yagnik is the fielding coach.
7. Brian Lara
Brian Lara has been named head coach. He is a legend but has little coaching experience, having joined SRH in 2022 as a batting coach and strategic advisor. Dale Steyn, a Proteas legend, is their fast-bowling coach, and Muttiah Muralitharan, a Sri Lankan legend, is their spin-bowling and strategic coach. Hemang Badani, a former Indian batter, is the fielding coach and scout. SRH has signed big names but with little coaching experience.
8. Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene began his IPL career as a player. However, shortly after retiring from cricket, he began coaching teams in the IPL. Jayawardene joined the Mumbai Indians in 2017, and his team has won three IPL titles since then. He had 48 wins in 84 matches for Mumbai Indians during his IPL coaching career. His winning percentage of 57.14 places him second in the IPL, and his salary is INR 2.30 crore.
9. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori is a former New Zealand international cricket captain. He has also coached the team. He is currently the bowling coach for Bangladesh's international cricket team. In 2014, he was hired as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Under his leadership, RCB made the playoffs in 2015 and 2016 but failed to win the IPL title.
10. Brendon McCullum
McCullum has assisted KKR in absorbing the thrilling brand of cricket. In the domestic arena, Chandrakant Pandit has earned the reputation of a man with the "Midas Touch." His impressive first-class coaching resume was finally rewarded on Wednesday when the Kolkata Knight Riders named him head coach. The former India custodian succeeds Brendon McCullum, who left the position after three years to become England Test coach.
