5 cricketers who can be India’s next head coach

Andy Flower (Source: X)

Indian cricket is one of the most followed brands around. There has always been a constant emphasis on results no matter the time of the year, series, or major tournament. Similar to how it is with the selection of players in relation to various formats’ squads, the appointment of the head coach is treated with equal if not higher priority.

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is currently the head coach of India. He was appointed in July 2024 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Gambhir’s contract runs through to the end of December 2027. Since quite some time now, there have been constant talks of who the next candidate for the esteemed position would be.

5 cricketers who can be India’s next head coach

5. Ricky Ponting

As a player, Ricky Ponting was renowned for the fierce manner in which he would lead as well as tactical brilliance, and his ability to lead from the front. Ponting embodied a no-nonsense approach to his game. Apart from the aggression, he also had a knack for reading the game to perfection.

Ponting has had coaching stints across the Indian Premier League and international arenas. While serving as head coach of Delhi Capitals, he helped inculcate a nurturing culture of backing young players. He has also had successful campaigns with Punjab Kings and Washington Freedom.

4. Justin Langer

Justin Langer is another Australian candidate who could be fit for this role. He was not someone who could be easily pressured while batting at the top of the order for Australia. Langer was also one of the those sportspersons who commanded a lot of respect within the group for his team-first attitude.

Langer has been one of the most crucial components of Australian cricket after the notorious ball-tampering incident which had rocked the foundation of the nation. He was also the figure under whom Australia retained the Ashes in 2019 and won the T20 World Cup 2021.

3. Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming brought about a whole lot of strategic depth and innovation in terms of thought process to the New Zealand setup as a player and captain. Despite not being flamboyant in expressions, he was certainly not a player to get rattled.

Fleming has made a humungous name for himself while being associated with Chennai Super Kings as their head coach. He has been extremely loyal to the franchise and also yielded notable results; one of the many ones winning five IPL titles up until the completion of IPL 2025.

2. Andy Flower

Andy Flower will forever be remembered as one of the finest cricketers Zimbabwe has produced. Flower has always been prominent for letting his performances speak for his otherwise quiet demeanor on the field. He has carried Zimbabwe cricket on his shoulders for several years.

Flower boasts a strong résumé in the coaching domain. One of his biggest achievements was guiding England to a famous Ashes win on their tour of Australia in the 2010/11. Flower possesses more than sufficient coaching experience in the ILT20, PSL, and The Hundred too.

1. VVS Laxman

It is quite rare that batters as elegant as VVS Laxman are produced by Indian cricket. He was very well remembered for his coolness under pressure and humility while dealing with the opposition. Laxman was also one of the hardest workers in the Indian camp regardless of his established stature as player.

Laxman has been the head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and served various functions in relation to administration. He has also been responsible in grooming young Indian talent after helping emerging players blossom while acting as the interim head coach in a few bilateral series.

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