Behind every successful cricket team, there is a super coach. India’s national cricket team has been blessed with numerous legendary coaches who have directed the nation’s cricketing fortunes in the past few decades. From Keki Tarapore in 1971 to Gautam Gambhir in 2024, all these coaches played an important role in making Indian cricket a dominating force in the world of cricket. Some of them took India to World Cup victories and others guided successive generations of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.
In this article Sports Windup, we are going to know about the best Indian national cricket team coaches from 1971 to 2025, exploring their playing careers, coaching achievements, and their impact on Indian cricket.
Table of Contents
Meet the Legends: Indian National Cricket Team Coaches Who Shaped Champions
Coach Name | Years | Achievements During Tenure | Captain During Tenure |
Keki Tarapore | 1971 | First appointed official coach | Ajit Wadekar |
| Hemu Adhikari | 1971-74 | Helped India win the series in England (1971) | Ajit Wadekar |
| PR Man Singh | 1983-87 | Managed India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team | Kapil Dev |
| Ajit Wadekar | 1992-96 | Led India to historic home dominance, including the 1995 Asia Cup win | Mohammad Azharuddin |
| John Wright | 2000-05 | India reached the 2003 World Cup final, won the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia | Sourav Ganguly |
| Gary Kirsten | 2008-11 | Led India to the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, and India reached No.1 Test ranking | MS Dhoni |
| Ravi Shastri | 2017-21 | Led India to Test series wins in Australia (2018-19, 2020-21), reached WTC final | Virat Kohli |
| Rahul Dravid | 2021-24 | Developed young talent, led India to WTC 2023 final | Rohit Sharma |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2024-25 | victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy | Rohit Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav |
Historical Overview of Best Indian Cricket Team Coaches (1971-2025)
1. Keki Tarapore (1971 – First Coach of Team India)
Keki Tarapore, who was a former first-class cricketer, took the pride of being India’s first-ever national coach. In 1971, India did not have a coaching system in place and Tarapore volunteered to guide the team. His job was not as extensive as contemporary coaches—he primarily worked on technique and fitness with the players. His work, despite his short tenure, set the stage for later Indian cricket coaches.
At that time, India did not have a proper advanced coaching infrastructure and Tarapore had to rely on traditional training methods. His influence was limited but his appointment introduced formal coaching in Indian cricket.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | 17-December-1910 |
| Playing Role | First-Class Cricketer |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Medium |
| Teams Played For | Karnataka |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- First-ever official coach of the Indian cricket team.
- Introduced structured training to Indian players.
- Worked on the technical aspects of the game but had limited resources.
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2. Hemu Adhikari (1971-1974 – The Man Behind India’s First Overseas Test Series Win)
Hemu Adhikari, A former Indian batsman became India’s coach and worked on team coordination and discipline. His contribution as a coach was important because during his tenure, India achieved their first-ever Test series win in England in 1971—a moment that revolutionized Indian cricket.
Adhikari uses military discipline and attention to train players in a systematic approach to the game. His approach made sure that India performed well in challenging foreign conditions, an area where the team had previously struggled. His legacy is remembered for having instilled a fighting spirit in Indian cricketers.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | July 31, 1919 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Medium |
| Teams Played For | India, Baroda |
| International Matches | 21 Tests |
| Runs Scored | 872 |
| Highest Score | 114 |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Led India to its first-ever Test series victory in England (1971).
- Focused on team coordination and discipline.
- Developed strong leadership qualities in Indian cricketers.
3. PR Man Singh (1983-1987 – The Architect of India’s 1983 World Cup Victory)
PR Man Singh himself was not a player but a team manager-turned-coach. But there is no doubt about his contribution to India’s 1983 World Cup triumph. As compared to coaches today, his job was more team management and making sure they were in the right kind of attitude and preparation.
During the 1983 World Cup, Man Singh worked closely with Kapil Dev. He focused on the team’s confidence and preparedness, even though they were the underdogs in the tournament. He carefully planned training timetables, gave intelligent scouting reports, and built a strong morale among the players. With his guidance, India stunned the world by defeating the West Indies in the final, winning their first-ever World Cup title.
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Managed India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team.
- Ensured strong team unity and morale under Kapil Dev.
- Helped develop strategies for tough international conditions.
4. Ajit Wadekar (1992-1996 – Strengthened India’s Home Dominance)
Ajit Wadekar, India’s former skipper, brought his aggressive temperament and tactical intelligence to his coaching life too. His greatest contribution was India’s domination in home Test matches, in which the team became almost unbeatable.
India adopted a spin-oriented attack in their cricket styles under the guidance of Wadekar, which was a highly successful strategy on home soil. He was a key figure in solidifying India’s batting lineup, particularly in mentoring young stars such as Sachin Tendulkar. His rule was, however, cut short by India’s dismal performance in the 1996 World Cup, which ultimately led to his resignation.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | April 1, 1941 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Left-arm orthodox spin |
| Teams Played For | India, Mumbai |
| International Matches | 37 Tests, 2 ODIs |
| Runs Scored | 2,113 (Tests), 73 (ODIs) |
| Highest Score | 143 |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Strengthened India’s dominance in home Test matches.
- Focused on batting consistency and spin bowling dominance.
- Helped nurture Sachin Tendulkar in his early years.
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5. John Wright (2000-2005 – India’s First Foreign Coach & A Game-Changer)
John Wright, a New Zealand cricketer, became India’s first foreign coach. Indian cricket was in the process of rebuilding after the 2000 match-fixing scandal when he became the coach in 2000. He brought modern coaching methods, fitness training, and mental conditioning, which were unknown to Indian cricket at that time.
Wright’s greatest accomplishments started when India led the 2003 World Cup final, which was the end of Australian dominance in Test cricket and the start of India’s win in overseas Test matches—something that was unheard of prior to his coaching tenure. He played a key role in nurturing players such as Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh, who went on to become match-winners.
His calm and systematic style of coaching was the ideal counterpoint to Sourav Ganguly’s combative captaincy. Wright’s time was the period when India became a competitive force in international cricket.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | July 5, 1954 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Medium |
| Teams Played For | New Zealand |
| International Matches | 82 Tests, 149 ODIs |
| Runs Scored | 5,334 (Tests), 3,891 (ODIs) |
| Highest Score | 185 |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Led India to the 2003 World Cup final.
- Helped India win overseas Test matches in Australia and Pakistan.
- Developed players like Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, and Harbhajan Singh.
6. Gary Kirsten (2008-2011 – The Coach Who Won the 2011 World Cup)
Gary Kirsten’s tenure was one of the greatest coaching tenures in Indian cricket history. The South African was humble, player-friendly, and tactically masterful, making him the perfect coach for the Indian side.
His proudest moment was leading India to the championship of the 2011 ODI World Cup after a wait of 28 years. He made India become the No.1 Test nation in the world for the very first time during 2009 as well. MS Dhoni formed a great partnership with Kirsten so that his leadership went very smooth.
He focused on mental toughness, fitness of the players and team unity, which were key elements in India’s World Cup victory. Players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma learned a lot under his leadership, which prepared India for future success.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | November 23, 1967 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off-Break |
| Teams Played For | South Africa |
| International Matches | 101 Tests, 185 ODIs |
| Runs Scored | 7,289 (Tests), 6,798 (ODIs) |
| Highest Score | 275 |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Led India to their historic 2011 World Cup victory.
- Developed a world-class batting lineup featuring Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
- Helped India achieve No.1 ranking in Test cricket.
7. Ravi Shastri (2017-2021 – The Motivational Leader Who Transformed Indian Fast Bowling)
The biggest contribution made by Ravi Shastri was in transforming India into a world-class Test team. His tenure as a coach focused on a bold, aggressive, and hard-nosed brand of cricket, turning India into one of the most competitive teams in all forms.
Shastri’s great leadership made India a team that could compete and win anywhere in the world. He also played a very important role in India’s fitness culture, He worked closely with trainers and analysts to improve player strength. His tenure saw India’s pace attack become one of the best in the world, a transformation that set India apart from previous generations that relied mostly on spin bowling.
Cricket career
| Category | Details |
| Born | May 27, 1962 |
| Playing Role | All-Rounder |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off-Break |
| Teams Played For | India, Mumbai |
| International Matches | 80 Tests, 150 ODIs |
| Runs Scored | 3,830 (Tests), 3,108 (ODIs) |
| Highest Score | 206 |
| Wickets Taken | 151 (Tests), 129 (ODIs) |
Notable Achievements as Coach:
- Led India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia (2018-19).
- Built a fast-bowling powerhouse with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma.
- Strengthened India’s bench depth, allowing them to dominate across formats.
- Guided India to the final of the 2021 ICC World Test Championship.
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8. Rahul Dravid (2021-2024 – The Wall of Indian Coaching)
Rahul Dravid is known as “The Wall ” of Indian cricket as he was India’s most reliable batsman. On the field, he was recognized for his amazing technique, patience and ability to lead. These qualities came out in his coaching career. Before taking over India’s head coach role, Dravid played an important part in developing young cricketers at the India A team and the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Dravid’s coaching philosophy was focused on the development of the players, balancing the team and mental strength. His coaching period was characterized by the creation of a strong team framework, ensuring the young players’ induction into the national team and consistency across formats.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | January 11, 1973 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off-Break |
| Teams Played For | India, Karnataka, Rajasthan Royals |
| International Matches | 164 Tests, 344 ODIs, 1 T20I |
| Runs Scored | 13,288 (Tests), 10,889 (ODIs), 31 (T20I) |
| Highest Score | 270 (Tests), 153 (ODIs) |
Notable Achievements as Coach:
- Guided India to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup victory, breaking a 17-year drought in the format.
- Strengthened India’s bench depth, ensuring multiple match-ready players in every position.
- Developed young talents like Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who became key players for India.
- Focused on India’s overseas Test performances, ensuring competitive results in England, Australia, and South Africa.
- Established a calm, strategic approach, helping the team stay composed under pressure.
9. Gautam Gambhir (2024-Present – The Latest Addition)
Gautam Gambhir, with his aggressive batting and bold leadership, became India’s head coach in 2024. As a cricketer, Gambhir played an important role in India’s wins in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup. He scored a match-winning innings in both the finals. His winning and aggressive thinking are the reasons why he is an ideal candidate to coach the Indian team.
Cricket Career
| Category | Details |
| Born | October 14, 1981 |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Batting Style | Left-Handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Leg Break |
| Teams Played For | India, Delhi, KKR |
| International Matches | 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, 37 T20Is |
| Runs Scored | 4,154 (Tests), 5,238 (ODIs), 932 (T20Is) |
| Highest Score | 206 (Tests), 150* (ODIs), 75 (T20Is) |
Notable Achievements as Coach
- Appointed India’s coach in 2024.
- Popular for his aggressive approach and leadership qualities.
- Predicted to bring a tactical and fearless attitude as a coach.
- Victory at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Is the Indian Cricket Team Coach Salary Worth It?
The coaching staff of the Indian national cricket team has a number of important positions with varying amounts of responsibility and salary. At the top of the team is the Head Coach. Currently, the Indian cricket team coach salary is approximately ₹5 Crore to ₹10 Crore per year or more. At present, Gautam Gambhir is the one who draws the highest compensation.
This profession is followed by substantial perks in the shape of facilities and touring, performance-linked bonus pay and the celebrity status that comes with being the captain of the national team. The Head Coach has assistance from Assistant Coaches such as Paras Mhambrey and T. Dilip, bowling, fielding, and batting experts such as Vikram Rathour.
These roles carry competitive packages but lower than the head coach of the Indian cricket team salary, ranging from ₹1 Crore to ₹3 Crore per year. Aside from this, their minimum salary, these coaches enjoy benefits such as travel and stay arrangements, role allowance and the satisfaction of being part of making the team successful. This is the pride of all the coaching personnel working with the Indian national team.
Conclusion
The success of the Indian national cricket team is not just about cricketers but also about coaches who prepare, strategize and motivate them. From Keki Tarapore in 1971 to Gautam Gambhir in 2024, Indian cricket has had a combination of coaches who have built a world-class team.
As a strategy, data and technology evolve over time, the adjustment of India’s coaching pattern. The future is rosy and the role of the coach will remain as crucial as ever in deciding India’s cricketing legacy. The next time you watch an Indian match, do not forget the unsung heroes behind it—The Indian National Cricket Team Coaches!
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