---
title: "Indian cricket team coach list (1971 to 2026): complete history, records "
url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/indian-cricket-team-coach-list/"
date: "2026-07-02T15:09:10+05:30"
modified: "2026-07-02T15:10:31+05:30"
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  name: "Manan Joshi"
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word_count: 3918
reading_time: "20 min read"
summary: "Every cricket fan knows the captain's name. Fewer know who stood behind the scenes, making the hard calls on strategy, selection, and team culture. The Indian cricket team coach list tells the stor..."
description: "Complete Indian cricket team coach list from 1971 to 2026 with men's, women's coaches, ICC trophies, salaries, records, and current coaching staff."
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---

# Indian cricket team coach list (1971 to 2026): complete history, records 

_Published: July 2, 2026_  
_Author: Manan Joshi_  

![Indian cricket team coach list](https://blog.cricheroes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/seo_blog_banner-2026-07-02T144959.465-1024x576.jpg)

Every cricket fan knows the captain’s name. Fewer know who stood behind the scenes, making the hard calls on strategy, selection, and team culture. The **Indian cricket team coach list** tells the story of how Team India went from a manager-led setup in the 1970s to one of the most structured coaching systems in world cricket. From Keki Tarapore’s first appointment in 1971 to Gautam Gambhir’s current tenure, India has seen over 20 coaching stints across five decades.

This post covers every head coach, their records, ICC trophies won, salaries, controversies, and the full women’s team coaching history. You will also find detailed comparisons between Indian and foreign coaches, plus the current support staff breakdown.

## Key takeaways
- Gautam Gambhir is the current men’s head coach, appointed in July 2024 on a contract until the 2027 ODI World Cup. He has already won two ICC trophies: the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Amol Muzumdar coaches the Indian women’s team and led them to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 2025.
- India has had over 20 head coaching tenures since 1971, starting with Keki Tarapore.
- Gary Kirsten (2011 ODI World Cup) and Rahul Dravid (2024 T20 World Cup) are among the most celebrated coaches in the Indian cricket team coach list.
- John Wright was the first foreign head coach, appointed in 2000. His tenure modernised India’s coaching structure.

## Who is the current coach of the Indian cricket team?
Gautam Gambhir took charge as India’s head coach on 9 July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid. His contract runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, covering three major ICC events. In his first year, Gambhir guided India to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy title and followed it up with the 2026 T20 World Cup trophy, making him the first Indian coach to win two ICC titles.

| **Position** | **Name** |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Gautam Gambhir |
| Batting Coach | Sitanshu Kotak |
| Bowling Coach | Morne Morkel |
| Assistant Coach | Ryan ten Doeschate |
| Fielding Coach | T Dilip |
| Spin Bowling Coach | Sairaj Bahutule |

Gambhir brought most of his support staff from his time with Kolkata Knight Riders. Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, joined as bowling coach on Gambhir’s recommendation. Sitanshu Kotak, a former Saurashtra captain with deep roots in the National Cricket Academy, handles batting. Ryan ten Doeschate, who played for the Netherlands and won three ICC Associate Player of the Year awards, serves as assistant coach. T. Dilip is the only member retained from Rahul Dravid’s support staff.

The coaching approach under Gambhir has leaned toward aggressive, high-risk play in white-ball formats. His Test record has been mixed, with India losing home series to New Zealand (3:0 in 2024) and South Africa (in 2025), but his limited-overs results have been strong.

## Complete Indian cricket team coach list (1971 to 2026)
India’s coaching journey began in 1971 when the BCCI first assigned a formal coach to the men’s team. Before that, the captain and team manager handled coaching responsibilities. Here is the full chronological list of every head coach and interim coach.

| **Coach** | **Tenure** | **Nationality** | **Major achievements** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keki Tarapore | 1971 | Indian | First official coach, oversaw tours to West Indies and England |
| Hemu Adhikari | 1971 to 1974 | Indian | Guided early overseas tours |
| Gulabrai Ramchand | 1975 | Indian | Short stint during domestic transition |
| Datta Gaekwad | 1978 | Indian | India’s first tour to Pakistan |
| Salim Durrani | 1980 to 1981 | Indian | Brief tenure during the rebuilding phase |
| Ashok Mankad | 1982 | Indian | One year before the 1983 World Cup |
| PR Man Singh | 1983 to 1987 | Indian | 1983 Cricket World Cup win under Kapil Dev |
| Chandu Borde | 1988 | Indian | Short tenure, transitional phase |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | 1990 to 1991 | Indian | Improved team discipline, bridge to the professional coaching era |
| Abbas Ali Baig | 1991 to 1992 | Indian | Focused on developing young players |
| Ajit Wadekar | 1992 to 1996 | Indian | First full professional head coach, improved home dominance |
| Sandeep Patil | 1996 | Indian | Interim role after Wadekar’s exit |
| Madan Lal | 1996 to 1997 | Indian | Former 1983 World Cup hero, short coaching stint |
| Anshuman Gaekwad | 1997 to 1999 | Indian | Two stints, built team unity |
| Kapil Dev | 1999 to 2000 | Indian | Former World Cup winning captain turned coach |
| John Wright | 2000 to 2005 | New Zealander | First foreign coach, 2003 World Cup final, 2002 Champions Trophy |
| Greg Chappell | 2005 to 2007 | Australian | Controversial tenure, early exit from 2007 World Cup |
| Ravi Shastri (interim) | 2007 | Indian | Short caretaker role after Chappell’s departure |
| Lalchand Rajput | 2007 to 2008 | Indian | 2007 T20 World Cup win under MS Dhoni |
| Gary Kirsten | 2008 to 2011 | South African | 2011 ODI World Cup win, took India to No. 1 in Test rankings |
| Duncan Fletcher | 2011 to 2015 | Zimbabwean | 2013 ICC Champions Trophy win |
| Ravi Shastri | 2014 to 2016 | Indian | Team Director role, oversaw transition period |
| Anil Kumble | 2016 to 2017 | Indian | 12 Test wins in 17 matches, exited after rift with captain |
| Ravi Shastri | 2017 to 2021 | Indian | Two consecutive series wins in Australia, India No. 1 in Tests |
| Rahul Dravid | 2021 to 2024 | Indian | 2024 T20 World Cup win, 2023 World Cup and WTC finals |
| VVS Laxman (interim) | 2024 | Indian | Oversaw tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2024 to present | Indian | 2025 Champions Trophy, 2026 T20 World Cup |

India has had 27 coaching tenures since 1971, including interim appointments. Out of these, only four coaches were foreign nationals: John Wright (New Zealand), Greg Chappell (Australia), Gary Kirsten (South Africa), and Duncan Fletcher (Zimbabwe).

## Profiles of India’s most notable head coaches
### John Wright (2000 to 2005)
[John Wright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wright_(cricketer,_born_1954)?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket) became India’s first foreign head coach in 2000, and his appointment marked a turning point. He brought structure, professionalism, and a fitness culture that the team had not seen before. Under Wright, India reached the 2003 World Cup final in South Africa, shared the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka, and recorded historic Test wins in England, Australia, Pakistan, and the West Indies.

- Coached during the peak of the Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman era
- Tests: 52 matches, 21 wins
- ODIs: 130 matches, 68 wins
- Made the head coach role a respected and formal position in Indian cricket

Wright laid the foundation for modern Indian cricket coaching. His quiet, supportive style earned trust from a dressing room full of strong personalities.

### Greg Chappell (2005 to 2007)
Greg Chappell, the former Australian captain, replaced Wright with a two-year contract. His tenure remains one of the most controversial periods in Indian cricket. The public fallout with captain Sourav Ganguly, which included a leaked email calling Ganguly “mentally and physically unfit”, divided the dressing room and sparked street protests in Kolkata.

- India suffered a group stage exit at the 2007 ODI World Cup
- The coach-captain relationship broke down publicly
- Chappell resigned after the World Cup, citing personal reasons
- Tests: 18 matches, 7 wins
- ODIs: 62 matches, 32 wins

Despite his tactical ideas, Chappell’s inability to manage relationships within the squad made his tenure a cautionary tale.

### Lalchand Rajput (2007 to 2008)
Lalchand Rajput stepped in during a turbulent period and presided over one of India’s greatest triumphs: the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup win under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. India entered the tournament as underdogs, without several senior players, and won the title in South Africa.

His tenure was brief but produced a result that changed Indian cricket’s relationship with T20 cricket forever.

### Gary Kirsten (2008 to 2011)
Gary Kirsten’s name sits at the top of any conversation about India’s best coaches. The quiet South African brought calm, trust, and a player-first approach to a dressing room still recovering from the Chappell era. Under Kirsten, India won the [2011 ODI World Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Cricket_World_Cup?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket) at home, ending a 28-year wait.

- Took India to No. 1 in both Test and ODI rankings
- First bilateral series win in Sri Lanka and first ODI series win in New Zealand after 40 years
- Tests: 33 matches, 16 wins
- ODIs: 93 matches, 59 wins
- T20Is: 18 matches, 9 wins

[MS Dhoni](https://blog.cricheroes.com/ms-dhoni-net-worth/) called Kirsten “the best thing to happen to Indian cricket”. When India won the World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, players carried Kirsten around the ground on their shoulders. That image captured the bond he built with the squad.

### Duncan Fletcher (2011 to 2015)
The Zimbabwean coach had a long tenure but mixed results. India won the 2013 Champions Trophy under his watch, but his time also saw struggles overseas, particularly in Tests in England, Australia, and South Africa. Fletcher’s coaching style was more reserved, and he focused heavily on batting techniques.

- ICC Champions Trophy 2013 win
- Tests: 39 matches, 13 wins
- ODIs: 108 matches, 65 wins
- Oversaw the transition from the Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman era to the Kohli-led squad

### Anil Kumble (2016 to 2017)
[Anil Kumble’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anil_Kumble?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket) one-year tenure produced the best Test win ratio of any India coach. India won 12 out of 17 Tests under his watch. Yet his time ended abruptly after reported differences with captain Virat Kohli. Kumble resigned after the 2017 Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan, stating that his relationship with the captain had become “untenable”.

- Test record: 17 matches, 12 wins, 1 loss
- ODIs: 19 matches, 13 wins
- Shortest tenure among modern full-time coaches

### Ravi Shastri (2017 to 2021)
Ravi Shastri’s partnership with [Virat Kohli](https://blog.cricheroes.com/virat-kohli-net-worth/) made India a force in Test cricket. The pair shared an aggressive, confrontational approach that delivered back-to-back series wins in Australia (2018/19 and 2020/21), a first for any Asian team. India held the No. 1 Test ranking for 42 consecutive months.

- Tests: 43 matches, 25 wins (win percentage: 58.10%)
- ODIs: 76 matches, 51 wins (win percentage: 67.1%)
- T20Is: 65 matches, 42 wins (win percentage: 69.2%)
- Reached the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final and 2021 WTC final

The one criticism of Shastri’s era was the lack of an ICC trophy. India came close multiple times but could not convert in knockout games.

### Rahul Dravid (2021 to 2024)
Rahul Dravid brought a measured, development-focused approach. He overhauled India’s T20 strategy, introduced an aggressive batting template under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, and invested in building bench strength through India A and U19 pipelines.

- Won the 2024 T20 World Cup, India’s first ICC title in 11 years
- Reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and 2023 WTC final
- ODIs: 56 matches, 41 wins
- T20Is: 69 matches, 48 wins
- Tests: 24 matches, 14 wins

Dravid’s tenure ended on the highest note possible, with India beating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

### Gautam Gambhir (2024 to present)
[Gambhir](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/308/gautam-gambhir?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket) stepped in with the confidence of a man who had already tasted success as a KKR mentor and IPL winner. His aggressive coaching philosophy quickly delivered results in [white ball](https://store.cricheroes.com/product/136/leather-cricket-ball-inspire-white-pack-of-three?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket) cricket, winning the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. His Test record remains a work in progress, with home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa raising questions.

Gambhir is the first Indian coach to win two ICC trophies in his tenure.

## India head coach records and achievements
Win percentage alone does not tell the full story. Some coaches inherited strong squads while others had to rebuild. Still, the numbers offer a clear comparison.

| **Coach** | **Tests (W)** | **ODIs (W)** | **T20Is (W)** | **ICC trophies** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Wright | 52 (21) | 130 (68) | N/A | Champions Trophy 2002 (shared) |
| Greg Chappell | 18 (7) | 62 (32) | 1 (1) | None |
| Lalchand Rajput | N/A | N/A | N/A | T20 World Cup 2007 |
| Gary Kirsten | 33 (16) | 93 (59) | 18 (9) | ODI World Cup 2011 |
| Duncan Fletcher | 39 (13) | 108 (65) | 25 (15) | Champions Trophy 2013 |
| Anil Kumble | 17 (12) | 19 (13) | 5 (2) | None |
| Ravi Shastri | 43 (25) | 76 (51) | 65 (42) | None |
| Rahul Dravid | 24 (14) | 56 (41) | 69 (48) | T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Gautam Gambhir | Ongoing | Ongoing | Ongoing | CT 2025, T20 WC 2026 |

Anil Kumble holds the best Test win percentage among all India coaches with a 70.6% record from 17 matches. Ravi Shastri coached India in the most Tests (43) among modern coaches and recorded the most Test wins (25). Rahul Dravid’s T20I record stands out with 48 wins from 69 matches.

## ICC trophies won under each coach
This is one of the most searched questions in Indian cricket, and the complete list often goes uncovered by other sources.

| **Coach** | **Tournament** | **Year** | **Captain** |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR Man Singh | ODI World Cup | 1983 | Kapil Dev |
| John Wright | Champions Trophy (shared) | 2002 | Sourav Ganguly |
| Lalchand Rajput | T20 World Cup | 2007 | MS Dhoni |
| Gary Kirsten | ODI World Cup | 2011 | MS Dhoni |
| Duncan Fletcher | Champions Trophy | 2013 | MS Dhoni |
| Rahul Dravid | T20 World Cup | 2024 | Rohit Sharma |
| Gautam Gambhir | Champions Trophy | 2025 | Rohit Sharma |
| Gautam Gambhir | T20 World Cup | 2026 | Shreyas Iyer |

India has won eight major ICC trophies across their history. Three coaches share multiple associations with these wins: MS Dhoni captained in three of them, and Gautam Gambhir is the only coach to have won two.

## Indian vs. foreign coaches: how do they compare?
India has had four foreign coaches (Wright, Chappell, Kirsten, and Fletcher); the rest have been Indian. The debate about which type works better for India is as old as the coaching position itself.

### Foreign coaches
John Wright brought professionalism and a structured training culture. Gary Kirsten brought calm and a player-first environment. Both are remembered fondly. Greg Chappell and Duncan Fletcher had more mixed tenures, with Chappell’s time being the most turbulent.

- Foreign coaches won three ICC trophies (2002 Champions Trophy, 2011 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy)
- They brought an outside perspective and modern coaching methods
- Cultural adjustment was always a factor, for better or worse

### Indian coaches
Indian coaches understood the dressing room culture, media pressure, and cultural expectations better. Ravi Shastri’s bond with Virat Kohli and Dravid’s chemistry with Rohit Sharma were built on shared understanding.

- Indian coaches have won five ICC trophies (1983, 2007, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- They handled media and [BCCI](https://blog.cricheroes.com/how-bcci-earns-money/) politics more naturally
- Gambhir’s two trophy wins have tilted the debate toward Indian coaches in recent years

The truth is that success depends more on the coach-captain relationship than on nationality. When that relationship works, results follow. When it breaks down, as it did with Chappell and Ganguly or Kumble and Kohli, the team suffers.

## Evolution of Team India’s coaching structure
Indian cricket coaching has gone through three distinct phases.

Before 1992, India operated under a manager cum coach system. The team manager handled logistics and basic coaching duties alongside the captain. There were no specialist coaches. Keki Tarapore, Hemu Adhikari, and others from this era functioned more as managers than coaches in the modern sense.

- 1971: Keki Tarapore becomes India’s first formally appointed coach
- 1983: PR Man Singh oversaw the World Cup-winning campaign, still under the manager-led model
- 1990 to 1991: Bishan Singh Bedi’s tenure helped transition towards professional coaching

The second phase began in 1992 when Ajit Wadekar was appointed as India’s first professional head coach. From this point, the head coach had a defined role separate from team management. Coaches like Madan Lal, Anshuman Gaekwad, and Kapil Dev followed through the 1990s.

The third phase started with John Wright’s appointment in 2000. Wright introduced specialist support staff, structured training sessions, and a data-informed approach. This became the template for all future coaches. Today, the Indian coaching setup includes a head coach, batting coach, bowling coach, spin bowling coach, fielding coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach, analyst, and throwdown specialists.

## Indian women’s cricket team coach list
The women’s coaching history is a section most sources overlook completely. India’s women’s team has had its own coaching journey, with several coaches leading the side through different eras.

| **Coach** | **Tenure** | **Major achievements** |
|---|---|---|
| Sudha Shah | 2003 to 2007 | Early development period |
| Shantha Rangaswamy | 2003 to 2007 | Parallel advisory role |
| Sudha Shah | 2008 to 2010 | Second stint |
| K. V. P. Rao | 2010 | Short tenure |
| Anju Jain | 2011 to 2013 | Built a competitive squad |
| Tushar Arothe | 2013 to 2014 | First stint |
| Purnima Rau | 2014, 2015 to 2017 | Two stints guiding team growth |
| Tushar Arothe | 2017 to 2018 | Led India to 2017 ODI World Cup final |
| Ramesh Powar | 2018, 2021 to 2022 | Two separate stints |
| WV Raman | 2018 to 2021 | Stabilised the team structure |
| Amol Muzumdar | 2023 to present | 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup win |

Amol Muzumdar’s appointment in October 2023 changed the trajectory of [Indian women’s cricket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_women%27s_national_cricket_team?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket). A domestic legend with over 11,000 first-class runs, Muzumdar brought technical rigour and tactical planning. Under his coaching, India won their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, a historic achievement for the programme.

## How BCCI selects India’s head coach
The BCCI follows a structured process for appointing the head coach.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), typically comprising three former cricketers, leads the selection. The BCCI invites applications from eligible candidates who must meet criteria around international experience, coaching certifications, and track record. Shortlisted candidates go through formal interviews with the CAC, which then makes a recommendation to the BCCI.

- Eligibility requires prior coaching or playing experience at the international level
- The CAC evaluates candidates on tactical knowledge, communication skills, and leadership ability
- Contracts are typically tied to major ICC cycles (World Cups, Champions Trophies)
- The head coach gets to recommend their preferred support staff

Past CACs have included names like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Kapil Dev, Sulakshana Naik, and Ashok Malhotra. The process has faced scrutiny at times, particularly during the Kumble-to-Shastri transition in 2017, but it remains the standard procedure for appointments.

## India cricket coach salary
The head coach of the Indian cricket team is one of the highest-paid coaching positions in world cricket.

Gautam Gambhir’s annual salary is reported at approximately INR 12 to 14 crore, making it higher than his predecessor Rahul Dravid’s INR 12 crore package. The BCCI also provides additional benefits on top of the base salary.

- Daily allowance of $250 (approximately INR 21,000) during overseas tours
- Business class travel for all international assignments
- Five-star accommodation covered by BCCI
- Performance bonuses linked to ICC tournament results
- The contract typically runs for two to three years, aligned with major ICC events

For context, Ravi Shastri earned around INR 8 crore per year when he was appointed in 2017. The coaching salary has grown steadily as the BCCI’s revenue and the demands on the head coach have increased.

## Coaching controversies that changed Indian cricket
Two coaching episodes reshaped how India approaches the coach-captain relationship.

### Greg Chappell vs Sourav Ganguly (2005 to 2006)
The fallout between Chappell and Ganguly remains the most publicised coaching controversy in Indian cricket. It began during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2005, when reports surfaced that Chappell had asked Ganguly to step down as captain. A leaked email from Chappell to the BCCI criticised Ganguly as “mentally and physically unfit” to lead the team.

Ganguly was stripped of the captaincy and dropped from both ODI and Test squads. Public protests erupted in Kolkata. Senior players like Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh reportedly supported Ganguly. The episode ended with India’s group stage exit from the 2007 World Cup, after which Chappell resigned.

This controversy taught the BCCI that a coach cannot override the dressing room’s existing power structure without consequences.

### Anil Kumble vs Virat Kohli (2017)
Anil Kumble resigned as head coach in June 2017 despite India winning 12 out of 17 Tests under him. Reports indicated that Kohli was unhappy with Kumble’s “overbearing” style and felt the coach was “creating a tense atmosphere” in the dressing room. Kumble described the relationship as “untenable” in his resignation letter.

The BCCI then appointed Ravi Shastri, whose rapport with Kohli was well known. This episode confirmed that in Indian cricket, the captain’s comfort with the coach carries enormous weight in BCCI decisions.

## Most successful coaches in India’s history
Ranking coaches requires looking beyond just win percentages. ICC trophies, overseas wins, player development, and long-term impact all matter.

Gary Kirsten stands apart for delivering the 2011 World Cup, taking India to No. 1 in Tests, and building trust in a fractured dressing room. His coaching style was unobtrusive, and every senior player from that era speaks highly of his contribution.

Ravi Shastri never won an ICC trophy, but his impact on India’s [Test cricket](https://blog.cricheroes.com/test-cricket-rules-you-should-know/) is hard to ignore. Back to back series wins in Australia, the No. 1 ranking for over three years, and building a pace attack that could compete anywhere in the world were all achievements under his watch.

Rahul Dravid’s legacy rests on the 2024 T20 World Cup win and his investment in the pipeline. Players like Shubman Gill, who came through the U19 system under Dravid’s guidance at the NCA, went on to become Test and ODI captains.

Gautam Gambhir has the numbers on his side already: two ICC trophies in under two years. If he adds the 2027 World Cup, his coaching tenure will be the most decorated in Indian history.

John Wright deserves credit for turning the coach role from a ceremonial position into a proper job. Before Wright, Indian coaches were not taken seriously. After Wright, no one questioned the importance of a head coach.

## Interesting facts about India’s coaches
Every long history has its quirks, and the Indian cricket team coach list is no different.

- Keki Tarapore was the first coach appointed by the BCCI in 1971. He also coached Rahul Dravid at the youth level in Bangalore decades later.
- John Wright was the first foreign coach (2000). Before him, all coaches were Indian.
- Anil Kumble had the highest Test win rate (70.6%) but also the shortest modern tenure (one year).
- Ravi Shastri served in three different coaching stints: interim coach (2007), team director (2014 to 2016), and head coach (2017 to 2021).
- Gary Kirsten was carried on players’ shoulders after the 2011 World Cup final, one of the most iconic images in Indian cricket.
- Kapil Dev is the only person to captain India to a World Cup win (1983) and later serve as head coach (1999 to 2000).
- Gautam Gambhir is the only Indian coach to win two ICC trophies within two years of his appointment.
- PR Man Singh, the coach during the 1983 World Cup, was not a former cricketer. He was a manager who became part of the squad.

## What five decades of coaching tell us about Indian cricket
India’s coaching history mirrors the country’s rise in world cricket. The early decades were experimental, with managers doubling as coaches and short tenures being the norm. The modern era, starting with John Wright in 2000, brought structure, accountability, and global coaching standards.

Three patterns stand out across five decades. First, the coach-captain relationship determines everything. Every successful tenure, from Kirsten and Dhoni to Shastri and Kohli to Dravid and Rohit Sharma, had a strong bond at its core. Second, the coaching role has become more specialised. Today’s setup includes separate coaches for batting, bowling, spin, fielding, and conditioning. Third, India’s coaching pipeline is now deeper than ever, with the NCA producing ready-made coaches from former domestic and international players.

Whether you follow international cricket or play weekend matches with your local team, coaching matters at every level. Track your own team’s coaching impact through match data, player stats, and performance trends on [CricHeroes](https://cricheroes.com/?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=facts-about-cricket). Every match you score tells a story, and every coach’s strategy deserves a record.

## FAQ
### Who is the current coach of the Indian cricket team?
Gautam Gambhir is the current head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. He was appointed on 9 July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid. His contract runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, and he has already won the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

### Who was India’s first cricket coach?
Keki Tarapore was India’s first formally appointed cricket coach in 1971. Before his appointment, India operated under a captain and manager system without a designated coaching role. Tarapore set the foundation for all future coaching appointments.

### Who is the current coach of the Indian women’s cricket team?
Amol Muzumdar is the head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team. He was appointed in October 2023 and led India to their first ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025. You can follow updates on women’s cricket performances, including grassroots tournaments, on CricHeroes.

### How many coaches has India had since 1971?
India has had over 20 coaching tenures since 1971, including interim appointments. The complete Indian cricket team coach list includes names like Ajit Wadekar, John Wright, Gary Kirsten, Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid, and Gautam Gambhir among the most prominent.

### Which coach won the 2011 World Cup with India?
Gary Kirsten coached India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title. India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Kirsten’s calm, player focused coaching style was widely credited for creating the team environment that delivered the trophy.

### Which coach won the 2024 T20 World Cup with India?
Rahul Dravid was the head coach when India won the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados. India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final. This was Dravid’s last assignment as head coach, and he stepped down after the tournament.

### Who was India’s first foreign coach?
John Wright, the former New Zealand cricketer, became India’s first foreign head coach in 2000. His appointment brought a professional coaching structure, fitness benchmarks, and a data informed approach to Indian cricket for the first time.

### Who has been India’s longest-serving modern coach?
Ravi Shastri served the longest cumulative period in Indian coaching roles. His stints as interim coach (2007), team director (2014 to 2016), and full-time head coach (2017 to 2021) total nearly seven years of involvement with the Indian team setup.

### Which coach has won the most ICC trophies with India?
Gautam Gambhir holds the record with two ICC trophies: the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. He is the only Indian coach to win multiple ICC titles. Among all coaches, MS Dhoni captained in three ICC trophy wins under three different coaches.

### What is the salary of India’s cricket coach?
The current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, earns a reported annual salary of INR 12 to 14 crore. This includes performance bonuses for ICC tournament wins, a $250 daily allowance on tours, business-class travel, and five-star accommodation. His predecessor, Rahul Dravid, earned approximately INR 12 crore per year.


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_View the original post at: [https://blog.cricheroes.com/indian-cricket-team-coach-list/](https://blog.cricheroes.com/indian-cricket-team-coach-list/)_  
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_Generated: 2026-07-02 09:40:31 UTC_