India National Cricket Team Coaches
India’s national cricket team competes in international cricket. As one of the world’s best cricket teams, coaching the Indian team is regarded as an elite position in the cricketing world. The Indian cricket team’s head coach bears a great deal of responsibility for developing the country’s abundant talent into world-class players. Over the years, India has had some well-known coaches who have led the team to great success.
Current Indian Cricket Team Coach
Rahul Dravid is the current head coach of India’s national cricket team. Dravid, a legendary Indian batter, was appointed in November 2021, succeeding Ravi Shastri. Dravid, known for his calm and thoughtful demeanor, brings meticulous planning and solid strategic thinking to the coaching role.
He has focused on fitness, fielding standards, and extensive preparation. Under his leadership, India has maintained its strong form, winning ODI and T20 series against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Dravid’s main challenges will be the 2023 ODI World Cup and putting together a strong T20I squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Dravid’s experience and cricket wisdom could help India win major titles in the coming years.
Former Indian Cricket Team Coaches
Before Rahul Dravid, India had several prominent coaches who all had an impact on the team. John Wright, a former New Zealand player, served as the Indian team’s first foreign head coach from 2000 to 2005. Under Wright, India improved dramatically in ODIs, reaching the 2003 World Cup final. Greg Chappell replaced Wright from 2005 to 2007. The Australian is credited with helping India adopt a more aggressive batting style.
Gary Kirsten took over in 2008 and led India to victory in the 2011 World Cup on home soil, the country’s first since 1983. Duncan Fletcher was India’s coach from 2011 to 2015, as the country struggled to transition from its golden generation, led by icons such as Tendulkar. Ravi Shastri served as India’s head coach twice, from 2017 to 2019 and 2019 to 2021. Under Shastri, India emerged as a dominant Test team, winning consecutive series in Australia. They also advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 ODI World Cup.
The First Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team
During the early seasons after independence, the Indian team’s captain also served as coach. However, as the sport’s professionalism grew, specialist coaches became necessary. Thus, in the early 1990s, India appointed its first-ever head coach, who lasted only a year.
Former India all-rounder Sandeep Patil became the team’s first full-time coach in 1992. It was an experimental role, and it did not last long. India reverted to the practice of captains handling coaching responsibilities.
The experience must have convinced the BCCI that a separate coaching role was required, as when a new coach was appointed 8 years later, the position became permanent.
The First Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team to Win The World Cup
While India has been fortunate to have some outstanding coaches over the years who have guided the team forward, Gary Kirsten will be remembered for his crowning achievement.
The former South African opening batter was appointed Indian team coach in March 2008 for a two-year term. He formed an excellent partnership with captain MS Dhoni to instill self-belief, confidence, and a winning mindset in the young Indian team. India rose to the top of the Test rankings, and the ODI team was largely unbeatable under Kirsten.
Fittingly, his greatest triumph came at home, when India defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. It was India’s first World Cup victory since 1983, and it warmed the hearts of a billion cricket fans. Kirsten received India’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in recognition of his contributions. More importantly, Gary Kirsten will always be remembered as the first coach to lead India to World Cup victory.
Head Coach Stint Deals with Controversy
Coaching the Indian cricket team is a high-pressure job that is subject to intense scrutiny. Few head coaches have had controversial tenures, none more so than Greg Chappell. Appointed in 2005, the Australian’s turbulent tenure was marked by strained relationships with senior players and a string of poor results that polarized Indian cricket.
Chappell emphasized youth and aggressive cricket, but his authoritarian style and public criticism of players such as Ganguly and Harbhajan turned them off. The coach also emailed the BCCI, suggesting that Dravid be removed as vice-captain. India was knocked out of the 2007 World Cup in the first round under Chappell, who resigned after only two turbulent years in charge.
The first head coach from overseas
Sandeep Patil, India’s first full-time coach, was an Indian. The Indian cricket team’s first foreign head coach was New Zealander John Wright, who served from 2000 to 2005. Wright, alongside captain Sourav Ganguly, is credited with changing the face of Indian cricket. He introduced superior fitness levels, improved fielding standards, and a professional culture. This laid the groundwork for India’s future powerhouse status.
Under Wright, India began to win more international matches, winning a Test series in Pakistan in 2003 and reaching the 2003 World Cup final. His tenure revolutionized Indian cricket, paving the way for more foreign coaches.
Greg Chappell’s Shocking Controversies
As previously stated, former Australian captain Greg Chappell had a turbulent and contentious tenure as Indian coach from 2005 to 2007. He asked senior players to retire and promoted youngsters like Raina, Kaif, and Yuvraj, but the results were disappointing. His relationship with Ganguly deteriorated after he demoted him to sixth place in order to promote Dhoni. Sourav claimed bias against Bengal players.
Chappell even suggested that the BCCI remove Dravid as Dhoni’s deputy! The 2007 World Cup debacle was the final straw, and veterans revolted against Chappell, who eventually resigned. After a turbulent period marked by unprecedented controversies, the Australian left Indian cricket bitterly divided and demoralized.
First Foreign Coach to Win the World Cup
Gary Kirsten remains India’s most successful cricket coach to date, having delivered the 2011 ODI World Cup on home soil after a 28-year wait since Kapil Dev’s 1983 winners. Kirsten, a gritty South African opener, brought calm and zen-like focus to his partnership with captain MS Dhoni. In 2009, India rose to the top of the Test rankings, and the ODI team was virtually unbeatable. Kirsten created an atmosphere of harmony, hard work, and confidence.
Under him, veterans like Tendulkar and young stars like Kohli thrived together. Few gave India a chance in the 2011 World Cup, but Kirsten put together a formidable team that peaked perfectly to write history at the Wankhede Stadium. Gary Kirsten’s achievement in bringing home the World Cup cemented his reputation as India’s best coach to date.
Ravi Shastri and Kohli’s Partnership
Ravi Shastri, a former Indian all-rounder, served as India’s head coach twice, first from 2017 to 2019 and then from 2019 to 2021. During his second stint, he formed an excellent partnership with Virat Kohli, propelling India to new heights, particularly in Test cricket. Shastri and Kohli had a fantastic off-field chemistry and a strong desire to make India world champions. With a world-class pace attack, India began winning Test series in Australia, made the inaugural World Test Championship final, and dominated the longest format.
Shastri made a significant contribution to India’s Test dominance despite gruelling overseas schedules. India also advanced to the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinals before Shastri’s tenure ended with the team’s early exit from the 2021 T20I World Cup.
Rahul Dravid is the current coach of the Indian National Team
| Name | Nationality | Duration | Notes |
| Keki Tarapore | Indian | 1971 | First ever head coach of India cricket team |
| Hemu Adhikari | Indian | 1971-74 | |
| Gulabrai Ramchand | Indian | 1975 | |
| Datta Gaekwad | Indian | 1978 | |
| Salim Durrani | Indian | 1980-81 | |
| Ashok Mankad | Indian | 1982 | |
| PR Man Singh | Indian | 1983-87 | Won the first ever World Cup trophy |
| Chandu Borde | Indian | 1988 | |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | Indian | 1990-91 | |
| Abbas Ali Baig | Indian | 1991-92 | |
| Ajit Wadekar | Indian | 1992-96 | |
| Sandeep Patil | Indian | 1996 | |
| Madan Lal | indian | 1996-97 | |
| Anshuman Gaekwad | Indian | 1997-99 | |
| Kapil Dev | Indian | 1999-2000 | Had to step down due to match fixing scandals |
| John Wright | New Zealander | 2000-05 | First ever foreign head coach of India cricket team. Won the 2002 Champions Trophy and qualified for the 2003 World Cup final |
| Greg Chappell | Australian | 2005-07 | Created rift and disharmony with the Indian camp |
| Ravi Shastri | Indian | 2007 | |
| Lalchand Rajput | Indian | 2007-08 | Won the first ever T20 World Cup title in 2007 |
| Gary Kirsten | Indian | 2008-11 | The South African won the second World Cup Title in 2011. |
| Duncan Fletcher | English | 2011-15 | Won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. |
| Ravi Shastri | Indian | 2015 | First Tenure |
| Sanjay Bangar (Interim Role) | Indian | 2016 | The only interim head coach of India cricket team. |
| Anil Kumble | Indian | 2016-17 | |
| Ravi Shastri | Indian | 2017-21 | Created an era of dominance in Test cricket and won the 2018 Asia Cup. |
| Rahul Dravid | Indian | 2021-present | Won the 2023 Asia Cup and qualified for the 2023 World Cup final. |
Legendary Indian batter Rahul ‘The Wall’ Dravid succeeded Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach in November 2021. Dravid, nicknamed ‘Mr Dependable’ for his steadfastness on the field, has brought with him a no-nonsense work ethic, meticulous planning, and stellar strategic acumen.
There is an increased emphasis on player fitness, nutrition, and fielding standards. Dravid also seamlessly integrates IPL stars into the India setup. India has maintained its winning streak under him, winning ODI and T20I series against the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Dravid’s biggest challenges will be defending India’s ODI World Cup in 2023 and assembling a world-class team for the T20 World Cup in 2024. With Dravid at the helm, India hopes to usher in another golden age.
Indian Women’s National Cricket Team Head Coach
| Name | Nationality | Tenure | Notes |
| Sudha Shah | Indian | 2003-07 | First ever head coach of India women’s national team |
| Shantha Rangaswamy | Indian | 2007-08 | |
| Sudha Shah | Indian | 2008-10 | Second Tenure |
| KVP Rao | Indian | 2010 | |
| Anju Jain | Indian | 2011-13 | |
| Tushar Arothe | Indian | 2013-14 | First Tenure |
| Purnima Rau | Indian | 2014 | First Tenure |
| Sudha Shah | Indian | 2014 | Third Tenure |
| Purnima Rau | Indian | 2015-17 | Second Tenure |
| Tushar Arothe | Indian | 2017-18 | Second Tenure |
| Ramesh Powar | Indian | 2018 | First Tenure |
| WV Raman | Indian | 2018-21 | |
| Ramesh Powar | Indian | 2021-22 | Second Tenure |
| Amol Mazumdar | Indian | 2021-present |
The Indian women’s national cricket team has grown tremendously in recent years, including reaching the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup. Ramesh Powar, a former India off-spinner and Mumbai stalwart, leads the team’s coaching staff. He was appointed head coach for the second time in May 2021, having previously held the position briefly in 2018.
Under Powar, India won ODI series in England and Australia before losing in the 2022 Women’s World Cup semifinal to South Africa. Powar has created a competitive unit that focuses on fitness, fielding, and playing fearlessly. With emerging stars such as Shafali Verma. The coach will be critical in propelling the women’s team to the next level as the 2023 T20 World Cup and 2025 ODI World Cup approaches.
Assistant Coaches of India Cricket Team
The head coach of Team India oversees a large support staff that guides the players. Vikram Rathour, Paras Mhambrey, and T Dilip serve as Rahul Dravid’s batting, bowling, and fielding coaches. Vikram Rathour, a former India opener, discusses the technique and mental aspects of batting with today’s generation. Paras Mhambrey, an ex-India pacer, advises on bowling plans and strategies. T Dilip has transformed India’s fielding, making them among the sharpest in the world today. The assistant coaches work alongside Rahul Dravid to bring out the best in the Indian players.
India Cricket Team’s Performance Coaches
| Name | Role |
| Kamlesh Jain | Physio |
| Sohum Desai | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| Paddy Upton | Mental Conditioning Coach |
| S Raghu | Throwdown Specialist |
In addition to coaching technical skills, today’s elite teams have performance coaches who help with fitness, nutrition, and mental strength. The India cricket team also has focused performance coaches to help the players. Shanker Basu, a former strength and conditioning coach, transformed India’s fitness starting in 2015.
He proposed profiling each player and developing tailored fitness regimens. This resulted in significant improvements in athletic performance and stamina. Currently, trainer Soham Desai leads the fitness group alongside physiotherapists. Paddy Upton, a mental conditioning coach. Had two successful stints from 2008 to 2011 and 2019 to 21 instilling mental toughness and calm in high-pressure games.
National Selectors of the BCCI
| Name | Former Playing Role |
| Ajit Agarkar (Chairman) | Fast bowling all-rounder |
| Shiv Sunder Das | Opening batsman |
| Shubroto Banerjee | Pacer |
| Salil Ankola | Pacer |
| Sridharan Sarath | Batsman |
The national selectors select Indian cricket teams and squads for series and tournaments. The senior men’s selection committee currently consists of four members, chaired by former India pacer Chetan Sharma. Sunil Joshi, Debasish Mohanty, and Harvinder Singh are the other selectors with the goal of identifying deserving talent for India.
Joshi and Harvinder represented India, while Mohanty was well-known in Odisha. Jatin Paranjpe, a former selector, has also served as an NCA coach. The selectors collaborate closely with India coach Rahul Dravid on team composition and talent spotting. Past chairman selectors, such as Dilip Vengsarkar, also made significant contributions.
The Role of the National Cricket Academy of India
The National Cricket Academy in Bangalore is critical to developing talent for India’s cricket pipeline. It has become the primary rehabilitation, fitness assessment, and skill development facility for Indian cricketers. The NCA, led by VVS Laxman, offers cutting-edge training programs that are specifically designed to develop players’ strengths. It employs physicians, trainers, analysts, and coaches to ensure proper grooming.
Many current Indian stars, including Bumrah, Ashwin, Pant, and Jadeja, have trained there. Recent India U-19 winners have also enrolled in NCA programs to prepare them for higher-level cricket. The NCA plays an important role in facilitating the smooth transition of outstanding domestic talent into the national team setup.
Conclusion
The India national cricket team is extremely popular among the country’s billions of fans. To lead this team to success, top-tier coaching and support staff must be able to bring out the best in the incredibly talented players while dealing with tremendous pressure. India has had several prominent coaches over the years, including John Wright, Gary Kirsten, and Ravi Shastri. Who have all achieved historic feats. Rahul Dravid, the current coach, has the credentials to lead India to the next level.
He is assisted by a growing backroom staff who handle technical, physical, and mental aspects. Selectors also play an important role. India’s bench strength appears to be strong, as the IPL produces more skilled players who are now used to playing under pressure. The infrastructure, including the NCA production line, is in place. And the expectation is that India will consistently dominate world cricket across all formats over the next decade under Rahul Dravid’s coaching. If they can keep the momentum going, Indian cricket will enter another golden era.
