The 2016 edition of the IPL is most definitely underway and we now have a general idea of how well the players are doing and which teams are leading from the front on the field. But what is sometimes forgotten is the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, in the countless training sessions and locker room meetings, all managed by a coach. This year’s unique line-up of IPL coaches, could easily form part of a playing 11 and put up a fight against some international teams in their prime.
However, skill out on the pitch is very different to the ability to lead a team and convert your past successes into their future success. Two of the coaches have retired from international cricket within the past two years, five in the past four years and only one coach, Tom Moody, has double digit figures in the number of years since he hung up his international jersey. This is very different from the approach taken in international cricket, vast experience both on and off the field are vital with decisions taking months to make.
So have IPL 2016 coaches been chosen on the magnitude of their names or on their actual coaching ability? Sport360 takes a look at their backgrounds to find out.
Brad Hodge – Gujarat Lions – Australian – Assistant Coach (Adelaide Strikers, 2015) – IPL 9: 3 Wins, 0 Losses
As a batsman, Hodge had fantastic figures in first-class cricket but this was never converted internationally because selectors put him in the shadow of teammates such as Damien Martin and rival IPL 9 coach, Ricky Ponting. After announcing his retirement from international cricket in 2012 to focus on the shorter, domestic version of the game, he was named assistant coach of the Adelaide Strikers. But he could not convert their top of the table standing into a trophy and in 2016 went straight to the owners of the new IPL franchise the Gujarat Lions, and landed the job right away.
Daniel Vettori – Royal Challengers Bangalore – New Zealander – Coach (Brisbane Heat, 2015), Selector (New Zealand, 2009) – IPL 9: 1 Win, 1 Loss
Easily the most recognisable New Zealand player, Vettori was a terrific all-rounder and served his country for almost two decades before landing the coaching job with the Royal Challengers, after playing with them for a number of seasons. In a strange move in New Zealand cricket, he was appointed as a selector in 2009 and retired half a decade later. His experience as a captain and player is unrivaled and he has been coaching the Royal Challengers for the past two years now, with a top four finish last year.
Ricky Ponting – Mumbai Indians – Australian – No previous experience – IPL 9: 1 Win, 3 Losses
A name which consistently appears at the top of all time batting records, Ponting is one of the greats of batting and led Australia to a plethora of victories in international cricket. His career may have stretched perhaps a bit too far, resulting in some poor series’ after he passed on the captaincy. The Australian did come back to play along side Sachin Tendulkar in the 2015 edition of the IPL and after fully retiring from T20 cricket has moved into the head coaching role at the Mumbai Indians.
Jacques Kallis – Kolkata Knight Riders – South African – Batting Consultant (KKR, 2015), IPL 9: 2 Wins, 1 Loss
Unquestionably one of the greatest all-rounders in the modern day game and with a whopping batting average over 55. But towards the end of his career, he too lost some touch and performed poorly in the IPL for the Royal Challengers. He then became batting coach for the Knight Riders.
Paddy Upton– Delhi Daredevils – South African – Mental Conditioning Coach (India, 2008), Performance Director (South Africa, 2011), Head Coach (Rajasthan Royals, 2012) – IPL 9: 2 Wins, 1 Loss
After playing in just two domestic matches in South Africa, of which he scored a century on debut, Upton jumped straight into coaching. Appointed as a trainer for South Africa in 1994, his skills really shone through when he worked with the Indian team as their mental conditioning coach. Later on, moving back to a role in South Africa showed that both teams excelled to the top of the ICC rankings in all formats of the game with his support. His stint coaching the Rajasthan Royals was not so successful but he was quickly snapped up by the Daredevils as he was one of the most desired coaches in the world.
Sanjay Bangar – Kings XI Punjab – Indian – Assistant Coach (India, 2014) – IPL 9: 1 Win, 2 Losses
With an incredible Ranji Trophy record as an old rounder, Bangar never found great form playing for the Indian international team and his IPL career as a player never took off. In 2014 he was appointed the coach of the Kings XI Punjab, the first Indian coach in the entire competition, leading them to a second place finish. After this result, he was appointed as the assistant coach of India and is referred to as their current batting coach.
Stephen Fleming – Rising Pune Warriors – New Zealander – Head Coach (Chennai Super Kings, 2009), Head Coach (Melbourne Stars, 2015) – IPL 9: 1 Win, 2 Losses
Regarded as one of the great cricketing captains of all time, Fleming hung up his international gloves in 2008 only to be signed with the Super Kings the same year, his season did not go well and the next year he was appointed as head coach. Under his leadership, the team went on to win both the IPL and CLT20 tournaments twice. Unfortunately, due to the current suspension of the Super Kings, Fleming had to move on and was taken up by the Supergiants and reunited with captain MS Dhoni.
Tom Moody – Sunrisers Hyderabad – Australian – Coach (Sri Lanka, 2oo5), Head Coach (Western Warriors, 2007) – IPL 9: 1 Win, 2 Losses
An incredible first class batsman who scored over 20,000 runs in over 300 matches but this success never carried over with him to the Australian team. After retiring in the early 2000s, Moody held some administrative posts but only started coaching in 2005 with the Sri Lankan team, leading them to a World Cup Final in 2007. After some commentary roles, he took up the job to coach the Sunrisers when they were a new team in 2013, unfortunately they have consistently finished in the bottom half of the table since the franchise’s inception.
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