As Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team comes to an end, it is a perfect time to reflect on the journey of the team under the guidance of various coaches. The Indian cricket team has seen many ups and downs over the years, but one thing that has remained constant is the dedication and hard work of the coaches who have led the team. Let’s take a look at the complete list of head coaches of the Indian cricket team and their contributions to the team’s success.
1. John Wright (2000-2005)
John Wright, a former New Zealand cricketer, was the first foreign coach of the Indian cricket team. He took over the reins of the team in 2000 and led them to many memorable victories, including the famous series win against Australia in 2001. Wright’s calm and composed demeanor helped the team to stay focused and motivated during tough situations. He also played a crucial role in grooming young talents like Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh.
2. Greg Chappell (2005-2007)
Greg Chappell, a legendary Australian cricketer, was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2005. However, his tenure was marred by controversies and conflicts with senior players like Sourav Ganguly. Despite the team’s poor performance in the 2007 World Cup, Chappell’s contribution in shaping the future of Indian cricket cannot be ignored. He introduced a more professional approach to the game and emphasized on fitness and fielding.
3. Gary Kirsten (2008-2011)
Gary Kirsten, a former South African cricketer, took over as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2008. Under his guidance, the team achieved great success, including winning the 2011 World Cup. Kirsten’s calm and composed nature, along with his excellent man-management skills, helped the team to perform consistently well. He also played a crucial role in the development of young players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
4. Duncan Fletcher (2011-2015)
Duncan Fletcher, a former Zimbabwean cricketer, was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2011. He had big shoes to fill after the team’s World Cup win, but he managed to guide the team to many important victories, including the Champions Trophy win in 2013. Fletcher’s focus on discipline and fitness helped the team to maintain a high level of performance. He also played a crucial role in the development of young players like Ravindra Jadeja and Shikhar Dhawan.
5. Ravi Shastri (2014-2016 and 2017-2021)
Ravi Shastri, a former Indian cricketer, has had two stints as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He first took over in 2014 after Duncan Fletcher’s tenure ended and continued till 2016. He was then reappointed in 2017 and has been with the team since then. Under his guidance, the team has achieved many milestones, including winning the Test series in Australia in 2018-19 and reaching the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. Shastri’s aggressive and positive approach has helped the team to perform well in all formats of the game.
6. Anil Kumble (2016-2017)
Anil Kumble, a former Indian cricketer and one of the greatest spinners of all time, was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2016. Under his guidance, the team had a successful run, winning Test series against West Indies and England. However, his tenure was cut short due to conflicts with captain Virat Kohli. Kumble’s vast knowledge and experience of the game helped the team to improve their performance in the Test format.
7. Rahul Dravid (2021-2022)
Rahul Dravid, a former Indian cricketer and one of the greatest batsmen of all time, took over as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2021. Under his guidance, the team has achieved great success, including winning the Test series against England and reaching the finals of the World Test Championship. Dravid’s calm and composed nature, along with his vast knowledge of the game, has helped the team to perform well
