Usually, franchises go for foreign coaches or popular former India cricketers for the Head Coach role. Hardly has a team gone for a lesser-known former India cricketer for the role. That said, the trend is slowly shifting. Here, we take a look at the list of four not-so-successful Indian cricketers who became Head Coach in the IPL.
1) Chandrakant Pandit
The current KKR Head Coach played a handful of games for India but did not achieve major success. It was as a Head Coach at the domestic level that he attained so much popularity. He also won the IPL in 2024, making him one of the very few Indian coaches to reach the podium.
2) Lalchand Rajput
Lalchand Rajput is one of the not-so-successful Indian cricketers who became Head Coach in the IPL. Known as a good coach, he was given the task by Mumbai Indians in 2008. It was a forgettable tournament for the team and later, MI released him. Later, he coached some nations such as UAE, as well.
3) Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar did play a while for India as an all-rounder. However, he was not popular but as a coach, he actually did well. Both at PBKS and at RCB, he enjoyed some fine stints. Bangar is rated as a fine batting coach and he will surely get a role at a different IPL Team now that Punjab Kings released him.
4) Hemang Badani
Hemang Badani is the latest to join this list of not-so-successful Indian cricketers who became Head Coach in the IPL. He did play a few ODIs for India but could not have a long career. Then, he took the ICL route and came back to IPL but did not get a game. Nevertheless, as a coach, he has done well. Now, it is a big step up for him taking over the role of a Head Coach in the IPL.
