Ahead of the IPL mega auction, let us look at the foreign managers who will sit on the bidding tables
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is merely a week away, and as per reports, it is expected to be the biggest auction in the tournament's history. From increased purse size for teams to the number of players registering, there's no stopping the growth of IPL, which has become one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. Not to forget, it is also important for India, given it generates massive financial revenues, which is beneficial for the nation's economy.
Who will be the most expensive buy in the upcoming IPL AUCTION? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VmR3NONa4p
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) November 13, 2024
Amidst the report of all glittery shows, especially comprised of players, we take a look at the head coaches of six IPL franchises in particular because they will be headed by foreign names.
As always, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will be heading the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 auction. Over the years, Fleming has proved to be the most successful IPL coach, given he has helped the Kings lift the IPL trophy on five occasions. Not to forget, with Chennai Super Kings, he also won the ICC Champions League in 2010 and 2014.
Zimbabwean former cricketer Andrew Flower, fondly called Andy, is a successful coach in the T20I circuit. Under his reign, England won its first ICC T20I World Cup in 2010, whereas the Multan Sultans won the PSL in 2021, and the Gulf Giants won the ILT20 title in 2023. Last year, the Trent Rockets also won the men's Hundred title. He also served as the head coach of Lucknow Super Giants, but last year, he was roped in by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Bengaluru finished fourth in the league but did not win the title. Is Andy Flower the manager who could finally lead Royal Challengers to a title?
Punjab Kings has roped in Australian great Ricky Ponting, who won multiple World Cups. As a head coach, he led the Mumbai Indians to the 2015 IPL title, but his seven-year stay at Delhi Capital was as barren as a desert. With Punjab, Ponting will hope to make a fresh start and lead the team from northern India to its maiden IPL title.
Jayawardene is back as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians, having led them to three IPL titles in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In 2022, he was made the global head of performance for the MI franchise. Under the franchise, there are four teams: MI, MI Emirates, MI Cape Town, and MI New York. Jayawardene was responsible for coaching and scouting for all these teams. Not to forget, MI (WPL), MI NY (MLC), and MIE (ILT20) won their respective league titles under Mahela's guidance.
Daniel Vettori was roped in as the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2023. Last season, Sunrisers were on fire, breaking multiple records and reaching the final before eventually losing at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders. Vettori was also the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but he has never won a trophy with any one of the franchises he has led so far.
Replacing Andy Flower, former Australian cricketer was hired by the Lucknow Super Giants in 2023. Langer is yet to head a team to a title, but to date, his most significant achievement as a coach is to lead Australia to the 2019 ICC World Cup semi-final, which the Aussies lost at the hands of England.
