The world’s richest cricket league, the IPL, which includes numerous top-class players such as Virat Kohli, Jos Buttler, and Rashid Khan, is not only renowned for its players but also for its esteemed coaches. Figures like Gary Kirsten, Daniel Vettori, and Mike Hesson have shown their mentoring skills and led their respective teams to success. Looking ahead, IPL 2025 is anticipated to be big, especially with the mega auction approaching, which might bring about various changes.
For example, Rohit Sharma might move to another franchise, Rishabh Pant could join CSK, and Yuvraj Singh might also be involved in coaching. Reports indicate that some top-class coaches may not be part of IPL 2025. So, who are these coaches, and what were their records during their tenure? Let’s take a look at three major names we might not see on the boundary ropes and give tips to players.
Ricky Ponting
Ponting, who was with the DC team in 2018, has recently completed his 7-year contract with the franchise. Over these seven years, he has provided countless memories to the franchise’s supporters. Although the team didn’t fare well in his first season in 2018, there was a noticeable change in 2019, when DC won 10 games and reached the playoffs.
The team managed to enter the final in 2020 but faced heartbreak as MI defeated them by five wickets. As a coach, Ponting has coached 103 games with DC, winning 53 and losing 50, which gives him a 51.4% win record. Now, after all this, he will not be part of the DC management in IPL 2025.
Trevor Bayliss
The record of Trevor Bayliss includes 42 games, with 18 wins and 24 losses, giving him a percentage of 42.9% during his stint as coach for PBKS. Appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings in September 2022, succeeding Anil Kumble, Bayliss is now facing the possibility of not having his contract renewed. Despite his efforts to revamp the image of the Punjab Kings in the IPL, the results have been underwhelming, with only 18 wins in 42 games not meeting the expectations of PBKS stakeholders.
Bayliss, who previously coached Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2011 and led them to the finals of the 50-over World Cup twice, did not have a successful run with the PBKS franchise. It is noteworthy that under his coaching, the Knight Riders became IPL champions twice, in 2012 and 2014.
Ashish Nehra
Another big name who is not going to be the head coach is Ashish Nehra. The former Indian pacer, known for his unique coaching style, may part ways with the Gujarat Titans after delivering significant success. Under his leadership, the team won the IPL 2022, which was GT’s debut year in the tournament. In 2023, they almost clinched the final against CSK but fell short.
However, the 2024 season did not go well, as the team finished 7th under their new captain, Shubman Gill. According to reports, the team is now looking for a new coach, and Yuvraj Singh may be considered for the role in IPL 2025. It will be interesting to see how Yuvraj Singh’s stint unfolds if he steps up to join GT’s camp.