We usually talk about teams and captains but what about coaches? There’s always more than what meets our eyes. These game geniuses and strategists help the team achieve success. Let’s have a look at the guiding lights, the coaching staff of IPL teams. The majority of franchises have attempted to continue with their head coaches from the previous edition.
The coaching staff of IPL teams:
1. Chennai Super Kings
The defending champions have not just tried to keep their core strong by retaining or repurchasing players like Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, etc. The team has made sure that their coaches stay the same too. This season too Stephen Fleming will continue to take the responsibility of the head coach. While Michael Hussey and Lakshmipathy Balaji will handle batting and bowling respectively.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB’s hunt for the first title is still on. Over the years RCB has had many different coaches, but this year it’s only the captain that will be new, not the coaches. Mike Hesson will continue to be involved with the Royal Challengers’ cricket operations. Sanjay Bangar was named as the team’s head coach for the IPL 2022 season after the previous season was completed. Adam Griffith is the team’s bowling coach, and Sridharan Sriram is in charge of developing the team’s spinners.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders
The IPL 2021 runner-ups had a fantastic turnaround in Phase 2 of the tournament. This year they’ve announced Bharat Arun as their bowling coach. Meanwhile, Brandon McCullum, Abhishek Nayar, and David Hussey are the head coach, assistant coach, and mentor respectively.
4. Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings might have separated their ways from Wasim Jaffer but more or less the other coaches are the same. Anil Kumble is in the position of head coach as well as director of cricket operations. Jonty Rhodes is the assistant coach. Julian Wood has taken the responsibility of the batting consultant this year and Damien Wright is in charge of the bowling department.
5. Mumbai Indians
The five-time trophy winners have made no changes to their coaching staff. They are going ahead with Mahila Jayawardene as head coach, followed by the former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan as director of cricket operations and Robin Singh and Shane Bond as batting and bowling coaches.
6. Delhi Capitals
The team’s coaching staff has changed a bit. With Ricky Ponting taking over as head coach, as he did in previous editions. The Delhi Capitals now have Pravin Amre as batting coach. James Hopes is the franchise’s fast bowling coach. In place of Mohammed Kaif, the club has added experienced former international players Ajit Agarkar and Shane Watson as assistant coaches.
7. Lucknow SuperGiants
The Lucknow SuperGiants is the newest edition this year. Gautam Gambhir, a two-time IPL champion, has been chosen to be the team’s mentor for IPL 2022. While Andy Flower, who has been a driving force behind the success of several franchises in recent years, is the team’s head coach. Former Indian wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya is serving as the team’s assistant coach, and former Australian fast bowler Andy Bichel is the team’s bowling coach.
8. Sunrisers Hyderabad
The team was in talks all over last season and not for a good reason. The mismanagement and miscommunication made a mockery of the team. However, they will want to start fresh this year. The franchise has made significant changes to its coaching staff, including the addition of several renowned cricketers. Tom Moody will be the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s head coach. Brian Lara, a former West Indies batsman, will begin his coaching career in the Indian Premier League. Muttiah Muralitharan will be the spin bowling coach, while SRH’s fast bowlers will learn from Dale Steyn this season.
9. Gujarat Titans
The Hardik Pandya-led team started its first season under the guidance of ex RCB coach Ashish Nehra. Vikram Solanki, a former England cricketer, is the Director of Cricket. Gary Kirsten is serving as GT’s batting coach and mentor. Aashish Kapoor is the bowling coach.
10 Rajasthan Royals
Sangakkara along with Amol Mazumdar will continue holding onto their responsibilities for this season too. However, the team surprised everyone when they named Lasith Malinga, the all-time leading wicket-taker in Indian Premier League history, as their fast bowling coach for this season. The position of fielding coach is taken by ex RR player Dishant Yagnik.
