India Cricket Team Coaches List (1971-2025)

By: Cricbites | November 17, 2025
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The Indian cricket team is one of the most prestigious teams in the world. We admire the players, their talent, thrilling performances, and historic victories. But behind every victory is a coach who strategizes, studies opponents, and shapes the team’s identity. From 1971 to 2025, India has had numerous coaches, outstanding domestic players, and international experts. Each has contributed in their own way and influenced the journey of Indian cricket.

The following blog presents the complete list of coaches of the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams from 1971 to 2025.

List of Head Coaches of Indian Men’s Cricket Team (1971-2025) 

Below is a clean, easy-to-read table:

Coach Name Years as Coach Key Highlights
Raj Singh Dungarpur 1971–1974 Helped young players improve
Hemu Adhikari 1979–1980 Focused on team unity
Bishen Singh Bedi 1990–1991 Improved bowling discipline
Abbas Ali Baig 1991–1992 Focused on youth development
Ajit Wadekar 1992–1996 Strong home series wins
Madan Lal 1996–1997 Strengthened all-round performance
Anshuman Gaekwad 1997–1999, 2000 Built team unity and discipline
Kapil Dev 1999–2000 Tried energizing team culture
John Wright 2000–2005 Reached 2003 World Cup Final
Greg Chappell 2005–2007 Introduced young talent
Lalchand Rajput 2007 Won T20 World Cup 2007
Gary Kirsten 2008–2011 Won 2011 World Cup
Duncan Fletcher 2011–2015 Won 2013 Champions Trophy
Ravi Shastri 2014–2016, 2017–2021 Won Test series in Australia
Anil Kumble 2016–2017 Dominant home performances
Rahul Dravid 2021–2024 Won 2024 T20 World Cup
Gautam Gambhir 2024–Present Early tenure, results upcoming

List of Head Coaches of India Women’s Cricket Team (2003-2025)

Coach Name Years Nationality
Sudha Shah 2003–2007 India
Shantha Rangaswamy 2003–2007 India
Sudha Shah 2008–2010 India
K.V.P. Rao 2010 India
Anju Jain 2011–2013 India
Tushar Arothe 2013–2014 India
Purnima Rau 2014 India
Sudha Shah 2014 India
Purnima Rau 2015–2017 India
Tushar Arothe 2017–2018 India
Ramesh Powar 2018 India
WV Raman 2018–2021 India
Ramesh Powar 2021–2022 India
Amol Muzumdar 2023–present India

Overview: Coaches of the Indian Cricket Team, 1971-2025

Below is a ‘readable’ detailed description of each coach from 1971 through the 2025 season.

1. Raj Singh Dungarpur (1971-1974)

Raj Singh Dungarpur was one of India’s earliest head coaches, working at the grassroots level. This was at a time when Indian cricket lacked formal coaching structures. He worked with young players and honed their basic skills. His tenure ended in 1974 when he took on administrative roles within the BCCI.

2. Hemu Adhikari (1979-1980)

Former Indian batsman Hemu Adhikari coached the national team for a year. He emphasized discipline, teamwork, and fitness—all new concepts in Indian cricket at the time.

3. Bishen Singh Bedi (1990-1991)

Meanwhile, legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi focused on strengthening the Indian bowling attack. His coaching was sharp, honest, and disciplined. He captained the team for a short time before stepping down.

4. Abbas Ali Baig (1991-1992)

Baig helped India focus on young talent. His contributions helped nurture the players of the early 90s, although his tenure only lasted a year.

5. Ajit Wadekar (1992-1996)

Under Wadekar’s leadership, India dominated the home team. His calm leadership instilled confidence in the players. However, after India’s poor performance in the 1996 World Cup, he resigned.

6. Madan Lal (1996-1997)

World Cup-winning all-rounder Madan Lal worked to improve India’s overall game. His tenure lasted only a year, but his emphasis on all-round development was praised.

7. Anshuman Gaekwad (1997-1999, 2000)

Gaekwad was a two-time coach. He was respected for his calm demeanor and team management skills. He helped build unity among the players, especially during difficult overseas tours.

8. Kapil Dev (1999-2000)

India’s 1983 World Cup hero Kapil stayed with the team for a year, where he focused on aggression and discipline, but resigned after the match-fixing controversy.

9. John Wright (2000-2005)

India’s first foreign coach changed Indian cricket forever. Bottom right:

  • ✔ India’s victories abroad
  • Reached the final of the 2003 World Cup
  • Defeated Australia in the prestigious 2001 Test series
  • He laid the foundation for the team’s success today.

10. Greg Chappell (2005-007)

Greg Chappell’s primary focus was on fostering young talent and modern training techniques. However, his tenure was fraught with controversy and internal disagreements. An early exit from the 2007 World Cup led to his resignation.

11. Lalchand Rajput (2007)

Rajput was India’s manager/head coach in the inaugural T20 World Cup. His captaincy ushered in a new era in cricket when India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

12. Gary Kirsten (2008-2011)

Undoubtedly, he is one of the best coaches India has ever had.

Under Kirsten’s leadership:

13. Duncan Fletcher (2011-2015)

Fletcher helped transform the Indian team after the retirements of Tendulkar, Dravid, and Laxman.

His achievements include:

14. Ravi Shastri (2014-2016, 2017-2021)

The coach is courageous, aggressive, and inspiring.

Under Shastri’s leadership:

  • ✔ India won two consecutive Test series in Australia.
  • ✔ Developed a dominant Test team.
  • ✔ Reached the knockout stages of several ICC tournaments.

15. Anil Kumble (2016-2017)

Known for his discipline and strategy.

During Kumble’s tenure:

  • ✔ India dominated home Test series
  • ✔ Several world-class bowlers were developed
  • According to reports, differences with the players led to the end of his tenure.

16. Rahul Dravid (2021-2024)

Under Dravid’s leadership:

  • ????India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup
  • Won the 2024 T20 World Cup
  • Nurtured young players like Gill, Ishan, Jaiswal, and Ruturaj.
  • A calm, methodical, and development-focused coach.

17. Gautam Gambhir (2024-Present)

Gautam Gambhir is currently the head coach until 2025.

Known for:

  • Aggression
  • Tactical excellence
  • Supporting young talent
  • His tenure has just begun, but expectations are high.

Read More: List of Presidents of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)

Conclusion

From 1971 to 2025, Indian cricket has undergone tremendous changes—and coaches have played a crucial role in shaping this progress. Whether it was Gary Kirsten’s calm demeanor or Rahul Dravid’s discipline, each coach brought their own unique style and direction. Fans are excited about the dawn of a new, fearless era in Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir.

FAQs: Questions & Answers

Q1. Who was the first head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team?

Raj Singh Dungarpur is considered one of the earliest official coaches of India from 1971 to 1974. Before the 70s, India did not have a formal coaching system.

Q2. Who was the coach of India in 2007 T20 World Cup?

Lalchand Rajput was the manager/head coach during India’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni.

Q3. Who is the Indian cricket team coach at present in 2025?

Gautam Gambhir is the head coach of the Indian men’s team (2024-present).

Q4. Who was India’s first foreign coach?

India’s first foreign head coach in 2000 was John Wright (New Zealand).

Q5. Who was India’s coach in the 2011 World Cup?

Gary Kirsten led India to a historic ICC World Cup victory in 2011.

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