Indian Cricket Team Coaches List: From 1971 to 2026

India doesn’t just produce great cricketers. It produces great coaches too.

But for most fans, the coaching staff stays invisible behind the team’s success.

Think about it. Every time India lifts a trophy, we cheer for the players.

We forget the person who spent months building a strategy, managing egos, fixing techniques, and keeping 15 different personalities pointed in the same direction.

This article covers the full Indian cricket team coaches list from 1971 to 2026, including the men’s and women’s teams.

You’ll also find salary details, coaching highlights, and a look at who holds the role today.

Indian Cricket Team Coaches List

Quick Summary:

• India has had 17 head coaches for the men’s team since 1971.
• The women’s team has seen 10+ coaches since 2003.
• Gautam Gambhir is the current head coach of the Indian men’s team (2024–present).
• Amol Muzumdar leads the women’s team coaching setup.
• India has won the ODI World Cup (2011), T20 World Cup (2007, 2024), and Champions Trophy (2013) under different coaches.

Key Highlights:

• John Wright was India’s first-ever foreign head coach (2000–2005).
• Gary Kirsten delivered the 2011 ODI World Cup win.
• Lalchand Rajput coached India to the first T20 World Cup in 2007, despite holding the role for just a few months.
• Rahul Dravid ended a 17-year wait, winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Ravi Shastri is the only coach to hold the job twice, serving in two separate stints.

Indian Cricket Team Coaches List: Men’s Team (1971–2026)

Here is the complete all cricket team coach list for the Indian men’s side. This covers every head coach from the early 1970s right through to the present day.

Detailed Look at Each Head Coach

1. Raj Singh Dungarpur (1971–1974)

Dungarpur was one of India’s first proper coaches. He spent three years helping young players build strong basics. His work laid the foundation for a more structured coaching system.

2. Hemu Adhikari (1979–1980)

A former Indian cricketer himself, Adhikari kept his stint short. His focus was on making the team work better as a unit, not just as a group of individuals.

3. Bishen Singh Bedi (1990–1991)

Bishen Singh Bedi is one of India’s greatest spinners. As a coach, he tried to build India’s bowling department into something reliable. He stepped away in 1991 to move back to other cricket roles.

4. Abbas Ali Baig (1991–1992)

Baig came in right after Bedi. He put time into identifying and developing younger players. His tenure lasted just a year, but he kept the team’s development moving.

5. Ajit Wadekar (1992–1996)

Wadekar was a well-known captain before he became a coach. Under him, India’s home record improved a lot. He stepped down in 1996 after India’s poor showing at the World Cup.

6. Madan Lal (1996–1997)

Madan Lal played a key role in India’s 1983 World Cup win as a player. As a coach, he tried to build a well-rounded team. His stint lasted about a year before he stepped aside.

7. Anshuman Gaekwad (1997–1999, 2000)

Gaekwad is the only coach from this era who was brought back for a second stint. He helped the team stay together during a difficult period. Both contracts ended on time without much drama.

8. Kapil Dev (1999–2000)

Kapil Dev led India to its first-ever World Cup win in 1983 as a player. As a coach, he tried to bring that same fighting spirit into the team. He resigned in 2000 due to match-fixing allegations around him.

9. John Wright (2000–2005)

Wright was a turning point for Indian cricket. He became India’s first-ever foreign head coach, and it worked. India reached the 2003 World Cup final and started winning overseas. He served a full contract and left on good terms.

Many fans still rate his tenure as one of the best. He handled a dressing room full of big names without any public drama, which is harder than it sounds.

10. Greg Chappell (2005–2007)

Chappell was a celebrated Australian batter. As a coach, he pushed for youth and tried to change how India played. But his methods created a lot of friction inside the team. India’s 2007 World Cup exit ended his stint.

11. Lalchand Rajput (2007)

Rajput’s tenure lasted only months. But timing is everything. India won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 under his watch. He moved on once a permanent appointment was made.

12. Gary Kirsten (2008–2011)

Kirsten is widely seen as one of India’s best-ever coaches. He kept things calm and focused on building player confidence.

India won the 2011 ODI World Cup and became the number one Test team during its time. He left after the World Cup to spend more time with family.

His ability to manage high-profile players like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli in the same dressing room without issues speaks volumes.

13. Duncan Fletcher (2011–2015)

Fletcher came in after Kirsten and had a tough job filling those shoes. India won the 2013 Champions Trophy under him, which was a big moment. But the team also struggled badly on away tours. He finished his contract in 2015.

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

Shastri is one of the most talked-about coaches in Indian cricket history. He served two stints, first as team director and then as head coach. Under him, India won its first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-19. He stepped down after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

His partnership with Virat Kohli defined this era. Some critics felt he was too close to the captain, but the results on the field were hard to argue with.

15. Anil Kumble (2016–2017)

Anil Kumble is India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests. He coached for just one year but had a strong home record in that time. He left due to reported differences with Virat Kohli over team management.

16. Rahul Dravid (2021–2024)

Dravid stepped into the role after years of working with India’s junior teams. He brought a calm, process-driven approach.

India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and then won the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending a 17-year wait for an ICC title.

He is widely considered one of the best coaches of the Indian cricket team in recent memory. His contract ended in 2024 after the T20 World Cup win.

17. Gautam Gambhir (2024–Present)

Who is the new head coach of the Indian cricket team? It’s Gautam Gambhir. He took over in 2024 after Dravid’s exit. Gambhir was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning squads as a player.

As the Indian team head coach 2024, he brings a tough, competitive mindset. His results as a coach are still building, and the cricket world is watching closely.

Indian Women’s Cricket Team Coaches List

The women’s team has had a strong line of coaches since 2003. Here’s the full list:

Amol Muzumdar currently leads the women’s team as head coach. The women’s program has grown a lot in the last decade, and the coaching structure reflects that growth.

Indian Cricket Team Current Coaching Staff (2026)

The Indian cricket team coach list 2026 for the men’s side includes a full support team behind Gambhir:

For the Indian cricket team coach 2026, Gambhir’s backroom team is still finding its rhythm. Morne Morkel brings international fast bowling experience. T Dilip has worked with Indian cricket’s fielding setup for several years.

Indian Cricket Team Coach Salary: What Do They Earn?

The Indian cricket team coach salary is one of the highest in world cricket. The BCCI pays top dollar to attract and keep quality coaches.

Here’s a rough breakdown based on available public information:

The BCCI does not always confirm exact numbers. But it is widely reported that the Indian cricket team coach salary is among the highest in world cricket, often beating what national boards in England or Australia pay.

Expert Analysis: Which Coach Had the Biggest Impact?

This is the question every cricket fan debates. Here’s a fair breakdown:

• Gary Kirsten has the strongest case. He took India to a World Cup win in 2011 and the number one Test ranking. He did it quietly, without ego, and left on his own terms. That combination is rare.
• Rahul Dravid runs a close second. He brought professionalism and patience. Winning the 2024 T20 World Cup was the result of two-plus years of careful team building, not just luck.
• John Wright deserves more credit than he gets. Taking an India squad to the 2003 World Cup final and winning abroad consistently was a serious achievement. He was also the first to prove that a foreign coach could work in India’s high-pressure environment.

The honest answer? The best coach of the Indian cricket team is whoever fits the team’s needs then. Kirsten was perfect for a settled, experienced side. Dravid was perfect for a transitional period.

Biggest Coaching Moments in Indian Cricket History

Here are the standout moments tied to specific coaches:

• 2003 World Cup Final (John Wright): India had no business reaching the final, but they did.
• 2007 T20 World Cup (Lalchand Rajput): First-ever T20 World Cup. India beat Pakistan in the final.
• 2011 ODI World Cup (Gary Kirsten): India won on home soil. Dhoni’s six is still replayed daily.
• 2013 Champions Trophy (Duncan Fletcher): India beat England in the final.
• 2018-19 Australia Test Series (Ravi Shastri): First-ever Test series win on Australian soil.
• 2024 T20 World Cup (Rahul Dravid): Ended a 17-year wait for an ICC title.

Indian Team Coaches: Domestic vs. Foreign

India has used both local and overseas coaches. Here’s a quick comparison:

Both types have delivered results. The BCCI picks based on what the team needs at that moment, not nationality. That’s actually a smart approach.

What Makes a Great India Coach?

Not everyone can handle the India job.

Here’s what separates the good from the great:

• Handling egos: You’re managing superstars. Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit. These aren’t ordinary players.
• Managing BCCI pressure: The board is powerful. Coaches who clash with it rarely last long.
• Media noise: India’s cricket media is intense. Coaches need thick skin.
• Adapting to formats: India plays Test, ODI, and T20 cricket heavily. The coach must handle all three.
• Building bench strength: India’s bench matters. Great coaches develop the next tier, not just the first XI.

Kirsten and Dravid both ticked most of these boxes. That’s why they’re rated so highly.

FAQs

• Who is the current head coach of the Indian cricket team?

Gautam Gambhir is the current head coach. He took over in 2024 after Rahul Dravid stepped down following the T20 World Cup win.

• Who was India’s best coach ever?

Most analysts point to Gary Kirsten or Rahul Dravid. Kirsten won the 2011 World Cup and took India to the top of the Test rankings. Dravid delivered the 2024 T20 World Cup after building a strong team over three years.

• Who is the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team?

Morne Morkel is India’s bowling coach. The former South Africa fast bowler joined the support staff under Gautam Gambhir.

• Who was the first foreign coach of India?

John Wright, former New Zealand captain, was India’s first foreign head coach. He served from 2000 to 2005.

• What is the Indian cricket team coach salary?

The exact figure varies by contract. Reports suggest top coaches earn between USD 1 million and USD 1.5 million per year. The BCCI is known to pay among the highest rates in international cricket.

Conclusion:

The Indian cricket team coaches list tells a bigger story than just names and dates. It shows how India has grown from a team with little coaching structure in the 1970s to one of the most professionally run sides in the sport.

From Raj Singh Dungarpur’s early groundwork to Gautam Gambhir’s current stint, every coach has shaped the team in some way. Some left titles behind. Others left foundations. A few left controversy.

The Indian cricket team coach for 2026 under Gambhir is still writing its chapter. Whether it ends with trophies or tough lessons, it will add to a coaching story that has been building for over 50 years.

One thing is certain: behind every great India performance, there’s a coach who made it possible. They just don’t get the standing ovation.

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