Indian Head Coach Record since 2000

The head coach of a cricket team plays a crucial part in the success of a team. The head coach not only decides the team’s strategies and game plans but takes some responsibility in selecting the playing XI.

Former left-handed Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the new Indian cricket team's head coach on 9th July 2024, Tuesday. The 42-year-old Gambhir who recently led Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title as a mentor, replaced Rahul Dravid who just won the T20 World Cup 2024 with Team India.

During Gambhir’s 3.5-year stint, India will play five ICC tournaments so he would like to help India win the ODI World Cup at least once. As Gautam Gambhir is set to take charge of the Indian Cricket Team, we'll look at the Indian head coaches and their records since 2000. 

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Indian Head Coach Record since 2000 (Full Tenures)

John Wright – 2000 to 2005

John Wright, the former New Zealand cricketer served as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team from 2000 to 2005. He was the first foreign coach to lead the Indian team. He formed a brilliant partnership with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly during the early 2000s. India couldn't win an ICC trophy but they won the Test series against Australia in 2001, some historic victories in Test matches in England and Australia, and they also reached the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. In 2004, India achieved a significant milestone, winning a historic Test series in Pakistan. In 2005, Wright was replaced by Greg Chappell.

Greg Chappell – 2005 to 2007

Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 2005 to 2007. India won a Test series in the West Indies after 35 years, won 4-1 in an ODI series against Pakistan in Pakistan, and also registered their first-ever Test victory in South Africa.

However, there were rifts within the team which were widely discussed in the media. After India’s disappointing performance in the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Chappell was forced to quit the job. India were knocked out in the group stages of the ODI World Cup 2007. 

Gary Kirsten – 2008 to 2011

Gary Kirsten served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 2008 to 2011. The former South African cricketer, played a huge part in India's Cricketing history, helping the side clinch the ODI World Cup after a long wait of 28 years.

Not only that but India also became the top-ranked test team for the first time in history. India won a historic test series against Australia in Australia in 2008. Kirsten’s tenure ended after the 2011 World Cup, but several talented players from his team went on to achieve so much in their cricketing careers.

Duncan Fletcher – 2011 to 2015

Former Zimbabwean cricketer, Duncan Fletcher served as the head coach from 2011 to 2015. Under his tenure, India won the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. India also reached the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup. At first, it looked like they would win the trophy once again but Australia knocked them out of the competition. His contract ended after India's exit from the World Cup.

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Anil Kumble – 2016 to 2017

Anil Kumble served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team from 2016 to 2017. During his tenure, India reached the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 but unfortunately lost to Pakistan. Anil Kumble had a good winning percentage with the team but they couldn't deliver in the important moments. After the loss against Pakistan, Ravi Shastri replaced Kumble as the new head coach of Team India.

Ravi Shastri – 2017 to 2021

Ravi Shastri served as Team India’s director from 2014 to 2016 and as head coach from 2017 to 2021. During his time as head coach, India reached the final of the 2021 World Test Championship, the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, and also won two back-to-back Test series in Australia.

There were highs and lows in Ravi Shastri's coaching tenure but they used to play aggressively in the Tests which helped them shine in the format. India were hoping to win an ICC title under Ravi Shastri but it didn't happen. They lost against the Kiwis in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. India made it to the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship final but lost against the same opponent.

Rahul Dravid – 2021 to 2024

Rahul Dravid, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, became head coach of the team after Shastri’s exit in 2021. Dravid had previously coached the India under-19 and India A sides from 2016 to 2019. He served as Team India's head coach from 2021-24.

His period was very successful in the history of Indian cricket. India won almost every bilateral limited-overs series both at home and abroad under Dravid's coaching. The team reached the finals of two major global events in 2023 - the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup. However, they lost both against Australia.

But, there was a happy ending at the end of his tenure. Rahul Dravid’s tenure as India’s Head Coach ended after India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies. India finally managed to win their second T20 World Cup title after 17 years and their first ICC title after 11 years.