The ever-changing facets of the Indian Premier League in terms of squads, captains, support-staff, coaches and even home grounds is what keeps the intensity and interest among the fans alive. The world’s top franchise league cricket will enter into its twelfth season in 2020. Ahead of the start of the season, five teams have decided to opt for new coaches while three have decided to retain the old ones.
Here are the complete details about the coaches of all the teams in IPL 2020.
Brendon McCullum (KKR)
Once a player and a captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, former Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum is all set now to become the coach of the side. It was he who lit up the tournament in the very first match of the season with his 158 against RCB. His innings is one among the IPL folklore. Having played across the world in different T20 tournaments, McCullum has the necessary experience and skill to coach a side like Kolkata. Eden has been a spin-friendly pitch over the years and the real challenge for McCullum is to keep that tradition going. With no Shakib released last season and Piyush Chawla ahead of the auctions this season, McCullum would eye for a reputed spinner to partner Sunil Narine at the other end.
Another challenge for ‘Baz’ would be to get the winning back in the way KKR plays. Eden has been a happy hunting ground for Kolkata and this year like the years in 2012 and 2014, KKR would like to have an unbeaten run at home.
Interestingly, McCullum was a part of the KKR squad which won their first IPL title in 2012.
Anil Kumble (KXIP)
Kings XI Punjab too have made changes to their support-staff ahead of the start of the season. They are one of the teams to chop and change their support-staff almost every season. Former Kiwi coach Mike Hesson was the coach of the side last year and this season the franchise has roped in former Indian skipper Anil Kumble as the head coach of the side.
Kumble was the coach of the Indian national cricket team between 2016 and 2017. However, he resigned from the post due to his untenable relations with the captain of the team Virat Kohli. India also lost the final of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan during his tenure. Kumble’s term of one year ended after the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Simon Katich (RCB)
Former Australian cricket Simon Katich played 11 matches for the Kings XI Punjab between 2008 and 2009. After that, he was recalled into the IPL fold in 2015 as the assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. He stayed with the franchise for four years and worked closely with Jacques Kallis.
He now has been roped in as the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who like KXIP has changed coaching personnel over the years. He is expected to take the learnings of his stint with KKR and put it into practice for RCB. Another interesting equation to watch will be how he works in tandem with his skipper Virat Kohli.
Andrew Mc Donald (RR)
Former Australian cricketer Andrew McDonald was roped in as the coach of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the start of the season. McDonald played for the now-defunct Delhi Daredevils between 2009-2011 and for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012 and 2013. McDonald comes in to replace Paddy Upton, who was only appointed before the start of the previous season.
The 38-year-old helped Victoria win the Sheffield Shield in his first year as coach. He has also powered Melbourne Renegades to their maiden BBL title earlier this year. The Royals who were the inaugural IPL champions in 2008 have since then failed to show up any performance of substance in the last 11 seasons.
Trevor Bayliss: (SRH)
Trevor Bayliss was roped in immediately as the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad as soon as he led England to their maiden World Cup title. He was replaced by Tom Moody who was the coach of the team ever since its inception in 2013. Moody also led SRH to their maiden IPL title in 2016.
Apart from winning the IPL title, SRH under Moody have been successful down the years as well. They reached the playoffs thrice during his tenure and finished as the runners up of the league in 2018. It will be interesting to see if Bayliss can emulate Moody as he gears up for his coaching stint with the Sunrisers. Bayliss too has good credentials to his name in the IPL. He was the coach of KKR who won their second title in 2014. Bayliss was replaced by Jacques Kallis in 2016.
Ricky Ponting: (DC)
Ricky Ponting was the coach of Mumbai Indians when they won their third IPL title in 2017. He joined Mumbai Indians as a player in 2013 and coached them to their second IPL title in 2015. Delhi Capitals then garnered his services as the head coach in 2018. He was then joined by former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly who came into the franchise as an advisor. Delhi had their best IPL season last year after a couple of really poor ones. They finished third on the points table as couple of their young players made their name in the tournament.
Mahela Jayawardene: (MI)
Mahela Jayawardene was appointed as the coach of the Mumbai Indians team replacing Ricky Ponting for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League in 2017. His inclusion immediately transpired into results as Mumbai won their third IPL title that season. Jayawardene played for the Delhi Daredevils and the Kings XI Punjab and led both the franchisees, but when it came to coaching an IPL team he opted for Mumbai Indians and has done a fair share of hard work behind making it the most successful franchise in the competetion.
Stephen Fleming: (CSK)
Fleming needs no introduction. He has three IPL titles for the Chennai Super Kings as a coach which is enough to speak for his experience. What makes him so successful for the franchise is the way he has worked with skipper MS Dhoni and the players of the team. His equation with MS Dhoni has set a benchmark for the other coaches and the captains to follow. He has always backed talent and ensured that he brings out the best out of players.
In the upcoming season, he and Dhoni will come together once again aiming for another title before MS Dhoni hangs his boots from the game.