Top cricketers who shined as players but failed as coaches

Several cricketers have become legends through consistent performances and record-breaking achievements over the years. After retirement, many of them chose to stay connected to the game, becoming commentators, others took a break from cricket, while a few ventured into coaching roles. But, excelling as a player does not always guarantee success as a coach.

In fact, some of the greatest cricketers struggled to replicate their on-field success in the coaching arena. Here, let us take a look at three cricketing greats who shone as players but failed to leave a lasting impact as coaches.

Top 3 cricketers who were great players but failed as coaches:

3. Anil Kumble

The leg-spinner Anil Kumble was a legend in the Test format, claiming 619 wickets in his red-ball career along with 337 wickets in ODIs. In 2016, he was appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team for a one-year term. During his tenure, India achieved significant success, securing series wins against West Indies, New Zealand, England, and Bangladesh. Under his leadership, India also recorded a 19-match unbeaten streak in Tests on home soil and climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.

But, despite the on-field success, Kumble’s stint came to an abrupt end in 2017 following the ICC Champions Trophy final, where India lost to Pakistan. He resigned from the role, pointing to an untenable relationship with former captain Virat Kohli. Although he delivered strong results, differences with players ultimately led to the end of his coaching tenure.

2. Brendon McCullum

Former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum played a pivotal role in the Black Caps team, scoring over 6,000 runs in both ODIs and Tests. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached their first-ever World Cup final in 2015 and remained undefeated in 13 consecutive home Tests. He also became the first player to feature in 100 consecutive Tests for New Zealand from his debut.

In 2022, McCullum took on the role of England’s head coach, bringing a fearless and aggressive approach that led to the rise of ‘Bazball’, a bold style of cricket focused on attacking play. While England enjoyed several Test victories under his guidance, his lack of a backup plan occasionally caused setbacks for the team. Despite his influence, England has yet to reach a World Test Championship (WTC) final, a lingering downfall on his coaching record, and has not seen the kind of success he saw in playing the game.

1. Greg Chappell

Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell had an illustrious career, holding a Test batting average of 53.86, and he registered his legacy as a key figure in Australian cricket. In May 2005, he was appointed as the head coach of the Indian national team for a two-year term, leading up to the 2007 Cricket World Cup. But his tenure faced public and media criticism regarding his handling of the batting lineup and coaching methods.

Several Indian cricketers, including Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan, openly voiced their displeasure with Chappell’s approach. India’s campaign in the 2007 Cricket World Cup ended in a first-round exit, which increased the scrutiny on his coaching decisions. His tenure was widely considered unsuccessful and after the disappointing World Cup performance, he resigned from his role.