Indian team Coach Legacy: A look back at India’s head coaches

The role of coach plays a very significant role in nurturing the team’s success. The Indian cricket team’s journey has shaped a lot of talented players under their coaching tenure. India’s cricketing history is filled with significant accomplishments under various head coaches. From Abbas Ali Baig to Rahul Dravid and now Gautam Gambhir.

1. ABBAS ALI BAIG (1991-1992)

Abbas Ali Baig served the Indian team as head coach for a very short period of span. He coached the Indian cricket team during its tour to Australia in 1991-92 and the 1992 Cricket World Cup although India did not win the tournament.

2. AJIT WADEKAR (1992-1996)

Ajit Wadekar served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 1992 to 1996. He was India’s first-ever full-time cricket coach under him the Indian team achieved 11 test victories and 41 ODI wins. He coached the team to a successful run in the 1996 cricket World Cup, reaching the semi-finals and India remained unbeaten in a period stretching from 1992 to 1994 which showed a period of strong performance. His coaching style played an important role in shaping the Indian cricket team in the early 90s.

3. SANDEEP PATIL (1996-1996)

Sandeep Patil wasn’t the head coach of the Indian cricket team for a sustained period.

4. MADAN LAL (1996-1997)

Madan Lal’s coaching tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team was relatively short and didn’t lead to any major achievements. His tenure as the head coach lasted from September 1996 to September 1997 roughly for one year.

5. ANSHUMAN GAEKWAD (1997-1999)

Anshuman’s coaching period started in 1997 and ended in the year 1999. There were not any major tournaments to highlight under his tenure to highlight. His impact as head coach is less about trophies and more about providing a supportive environment for the players to develop their skills.

6. KAPIL DEV (1999-2000)

Kapil Dev’s coaching tenure started from the year 1999 to 2000 but he did not enjoy the best of times. The team saw success in its first series at home against New Zealand but saw a whitewash in the test series against the host tour of Australia and visitors South Africa, India’s first home series loss in 12 years. India’s 3-2 win in the ODI series under New Captain Sourav Ganguly is remembered for match-fixing against South Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje. As the match-fixing scandal took place, former player Manoj Prabhakar accused Kapil Dev of trying to corrupt him in 1994 during a tournament in Sri Lanka. Under pressure from fans and politicians, Kapil Dev resigned from the position of coach in September 2000. Although his coach tenure wasn’t very successful much his contribution and achievements in Indian cricket are unforgettable.

7. JOHN WRIGHT (2000-2005)

John Wright coached the Indian national cricket team from the year 2000 to 2005. During his tenure India won a test series 2-1 against Australia, drawing a four-test series against Australia 1-1 in Australia in 2003-2004, winning a series against arch-rivals Pakistan reaching the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Wright was also appointed as coach of the World XI team that played Australia in the ICC Super Series 2005.

8. GREG CHAPPELL (2005-2007)

Greg Chappell’s coaching tenure started in the year 2005 and ended in the year 2007. Under his tenure India won in the West Indies in 25 years, a 4-1 ODI series win in Pakistan in the year 2006, and a first-ever Test series win in South Africa.

9. LALCHAND RAJPUT (2007-2008)

Lalchand Rajput served as head coach of India (2007-2008). He was the coach of the Under-19 Indian Cricket Team during the tour of England. He was appointed as the manager of the World Cup-winning Indian cricket team for the 2007 Twenty 20 World Championship held in South Africa.

10. GARY KIRSTEN (2008-2011)

Kirsten was the coach of the Indian cricket team from 2008 to 2011, going on to win the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He played a key role in shaping the team that lifted the World Cup trophy. Under his guidance, India rose to No.1 in the Test Ranking. He helped young players like Virat Kohli identify and reach their potential. Gary Kristen’s coaching period with India is widely regarded as one of the most successful ones.

11. DUNCAN FLETCHER (2011-2015)

Duncan Fletcher’s tenure as the Indian head coach lasted from April 27, 2011, to the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Under his tenure, India went undefeated throughout the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. This included wins against strong teams like England, Australia, and South Africa, eight series victories in a row. Fletcher’s time with India is considered one of the most successful periods. They didn’t win the World Cup, but they did win a major ICC trophy and had a strong win in the series.

12. ANIL KUMBLE (2016-2017)

Anil Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team but resigned after one year due to the differences with the captain Virat Kohli as stated by him. He ended his role after the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

13. RAVI SHASTRI (2017-2021)

Ravi Shastri’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian team was considered the most successful period. He has been the longest-serving coach of the Indian cricket team with a combined tenure of more than 6 years. In the year 2017, Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team. Under his tenure, India won two historic Test series in Australia, including the famous Gabba win in 2021, and established India as a dominant force in Test Cricket, especially away from home. He played an important role in developing India in pace attack and strong wins across formats. Shastri made the Indian team an aggressive brand of cricket and helped India become a powerhouse in Test cricket.

14. RAHUL DARVID (2021-2024)

Rahul Dravid’s tenure has been the most productive for India. During his tenure, India played the final of the 50-over World Cup but unfortunately lost the match to Australia after winning 10 continuous matches in the streak. India won the T20 World Cup and finally won it after 13 years. Under Dravid’s tenure, India became the No. 2 ranked Test team globally winning six series including victories against Australia and England at home. He has nurtured young players like Shubman Gill made a bright future for the Indian team and laid a strong foundation for the future.

Now with Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure Indian team will enter into a new chapter taking the team to new heights of success.