As the Indian Premier League (IPL) grows in stature every season, the spotlight isn’t just on the players anymore; the role of the head coach has become pivotal to a team’s success. Despite the domestic nature of the league, only 4 out of the 10 IPL franchises in 2025 are led by Indian head coaches.
- Gujarat Titans – Ashish Nehra
- Delhi Capitals – Hemang Badani
- Kolkata Knight Riders – Chandrakant Pandit
- Rajasthan Royals – Rahul Dravid
- Meanwhile, teams like MI, CSK, SRH, LSG, PBKS, and RCB continue to place their bets on overseas tacticians.
But here’s the twist: in two of the last three IPL seasons, teams coached by Indians have gone on to win the title. Gujarat Titans (2022) under Ashish Nehra and Kolkata Knight Riders (2024) under Chandrakant Pandit showed that Indian coaches aren’t just good; they’re potential game changers.
With Nehra’s Titans once again in the playoffs in 2025, this shift feels less like a coincidence and more like a wake-up call.
Here are 5 reasons why every IPL franchise must consider bringing an Indian to the helm as head coach.
1. Stronger Cultural and Emotional Bond With Indian Players
More than 75% of any IPL squad consists of Indian players, many of whom are either new to the limelight or still adjusting to the demands of professional cricket. An Indian head coach, having walked the same cultural and emotional path, connects better, understands deeper, and mentors strongly.
Ashish Nehra’s calm, approachable personality has built a familial culture within the Gujarat Titans. He relates effortlessly with young guns like Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Similarly, Chandrakant Pandit has long been known for discipline combined with empathy, two traits that helped him turn KKR into a well-oiled unit.
This kind of human-level connection is far more difficult for an overseas coach to establish quickly.
2. Unmatched Knowledge of India’s Domestic Talent Pool
While overseas coaches rely heavily on scouts and analysts, Indian head coaches have first-hand knowledge of domestic circuits like the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and U-19 tournaments. Many of them have either coached or competed against the very players making their IPL debuts.
Chandrakant Pandit, a domestic coaching legend, knew exactly how to tap into lesser-known talents. Hemang Badani, having coached in the TNPL and other circuits, is plugged into regional pipelines that an overseas coach might never explore. This local insight leads to better auction strategies, stronger benches, and breakout performers, which is exactly what IPL success is built on.
3. Natural Alignment With Indian Captains and Support Staff
Another underrated advantage of having an Indian head coach is the seamless alignment with Indian captains, vice-captains, and the wider support ecosystem. Whether it’s strategic planning, real-time decision making, or man management, an Indian coach often shares the same cultural and emotional wavelength as the players around him.
In T20 cricket, where moments define matches, quick, clear, and instinctive communication between coach and captain is vital. And nothing speeds that up like speaking the same language, literally and figuratively. Now, even with a legend like Stephen Fleming, arguably one of the greatest IPL coaches ever, most people still talk about how MS Dhoni’s room is always open, where young Indian players walk in freely to talk, learn, or even just listen. That tells you something. The emotional accessibility and cultural connection still primarily come from the Indian figure in leadership, even if he’s not the official head coach.
Now imagine if that emotional hub was the head coach himself. The kind of trust, relatability, and instant connection it brings to a squad of mostly Indian players is unmatched, and it shows on the field.
4. More Accountability and Emotional Ownership
Let’s face it, the IPL is more than just a coaching gig for Indian head coaches. It’s a matter of national pride, legacy, and personal fulfillment. Most Indian coaches are emotionally invested in proving their mettle on the biggest stage of domestic cricket.
Ashish Nehra isn’t just showing up to work; he’s carrying the badge of responsibility. Chandrakant Pandit, known for his intensity and discipline, treats every match like a final. Hemang Badani and Rahul Dravid are equally committed to long-term results, not just short-term KPIs.
This sense of ownership breeds loyalty, discipline, and a winning culture. It motivates not just the coach but the entire squad to rally behind a common cause.
5. Improved Communication and Mental Conditioning for Young Talent
A large number of uncapped or fringe Indian players speak regional languages, come from modest backgrounds, and face mental blocks when dealing with star players or foreign coaches. An Indian coach becomes more than a tactician, and they become a mentor, translator, and support system.
Rahul Dravid’s legacy in Indian cricket is built on mentoring the next generation, from India U19 to the national team. His presence in the Royals’ dressing room is bound to create a safer space for players to express themselves.
For many young players, just being able to speak in Hindi or their mother tongue, get honest feedback, and receive mental support from someone who’s walked in their shoes, is life-changing.
6. Indian Coaches are Fueling the Rise of India’s Next Superstars
The two leading contenders for the Emerging Player of the Season in IPL 2025, Sai Sudharsan (GT) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR), have one thing in common: they’re blossoming under Indian head coaches.
Ashish Nehra’s long-standing trust in Sudharsan has allowed the elegant left-hander to mature into one of the most dependable top-order batters in the league. But the real shockwave this season? Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just 14 years old, scored a century, a fifty, and smashed a first-ball six, all while representing the Rajasthan Royals under Rahul Dravid.
This level of performance at such a young age isn’t just raw talent. It’s expert handling, proper nurturing, and fearless backing from someone who knows how to manage prodigies. Dravid’s history with India’s U-19 and A teams makes him the ideal mentor for a player like Suryavanshi.
Indian coaches don’t just coach, they develop cricketers. They understand the psychological pressure, know when to protect and when to promote, and create an environment where young players aren’t just selected; they’re believed in.
The Shift Has Already Begun, Don’t Get Left Behind
With two titles in three years going to teams led by Indian head coaches and another (GT) consistently making the playoffs under Ashish Nehra, the evidence is mounting. What was once a risk, backing Indian coaches, is now becoming a competitive advantage.
Franchises that don’t adapt could soon find themselves outthought, outcoached, and outplayed, not by foreign masterminds, but by India’s very own cricketing minds.
So, the question isn’t “Should we appoint an Indian head coach?”
It’s “Why haven’t we already?”