Who Are Cricket’s Most Successful Coaches?

By John O. Ndar

Who’s a player without a coach? Some ask.

Admittedly, a few sporting legends have conquered various athletic top leagues almost single-handedly.

But they’re just that- pretty few.

As a rule, many successful stars attribute their exploits to a specific coach’s single-handed genious.

Consider the iconic Serena and Venus William’s tennis exploits under the tutelage of their father, Richard Williams.

Well, cricket is no exception.

Who, then, are cricket’s most successful coaches? Yes, who is the world’s most successful cricket coach of all time?

Easier asked than answered, perhaps?

Dive in with me!

Parading Cricket’s Stellar Coaching Legends

John Buchanan

Throughout the decades, cricket has had several successful coaches. Undoubtedly, John Buchanan ranks high among them.

The Australian-born coaching legend John Buchanan is highly rated as some of cricket’s coaching big names who deserve a place in the sport’s hall of fame.

Buchanan's coaching career took him to various places; he coached many teams in Australia and beyond. Buchanan's coaching sojourns include Queensland, Kolkata Knight Riders, Cambridgeshire, and Australia’s Men’s cricket team.

Buchanan earned a remarkable 100% winning track record while handling Australia's cricket teams! Certainly, such success was-and still is- unprecedented.

And Buchanan wasn't done- the cricket legend went on to win the 2003 ICC World Cup tournament, the 2006 Champions Trophy and the 2007 World Cup ICC World Cup.

Yes, John Buchanan's name is indelibly inscribed on the cricket sport's Hall of Fame as some of the most dominating coaches ever.

Buchanan has been decorated as the world's best cricket head coach.

7. Duncan Fletcher

Duncan Fletcher is a renowned Zimbabwean cricket hero who became a coach soon after retiring from an active, highly successful playing career.

Fletcher coached various teams, including the Western Province's Glamorgan, England. Fletcher was widely acclaimed for transforming English cricket to a considerable degree.

He led his side to win the Cricket Ashes Series in 2005 and the Commonwealth Bank Series in 2007. Fletcher then turned his attention to Indian cricket- he led India to win eight international series competitions in 2011.

Significantly, Fletcher was awarded the Order of the British Empire medal for his remarkable record in the Ashes Series.

Trevor Bayliss

Trevor Bayliss started his career with a coveted appointment as the South Wales Cricket Association development officer. Trevor later joined Sri Lanka’s national cricket team in 2007.

He transitioned to the Sydney Sixers in 2011 and eventually coached some of the world’s top cricket nations.

Some cricket big names that Trevor coached include Australia, Pakistan, India, England, West Indies and South Africa.

At the peak of his career, Trevor Bayliss inspired the English team to win the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He also snatched the IPL Championship as a member of the Kolkota Knight Riders. He did it, not just once, but twice.

Unsurprisingly, many regard Trevor Bayliss as ranking among the best-ever cricket coaches in all history.

Gary Kirsten

Many recognize Gary Kirsten as the best-ever IPL coach. Gary started his career as a promising member of India's cricket team. In time, Gary earned a niche, going on to hold multiple trophies and records.

He became South Africa’s top-rated opening batsman and served as the Wales head coach. He later led India's national cricket team to victory in its first-ever Bilateral Series competition.

That wasn’t all.

The celebrated cricketer later led India to win the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. This was a remarkable feat since India hadn’t tasted the trophy for 28 years.

Gary Kirksten was a Gujarat Titans and Hobart Hurricanes team member in 2022.

Ravi Shastri

Arguably, Ravi Shastri ranks among the world’s best cricket coaches. Ravi was born in Mumbai, India, in May 1962. For years, Ravi played in the Indian cricket team. He excelled and rose to become the team captain.

Sadly, Ravi’s career was halted by a persistent knee injury. He later started coaching in 2017, rising to the director’s position. He soon became the Indian team’s head coach in 2019.