IPL 2020: Who are the coaches of all the franchises?

Indian Premier League (IPL) teams are known to revamp their squads by bringing in a few new players and letting go of some existing players prior in each edition. However, an extremely important component for the success of a particular franchise is its support staff. Hence, the IPL teams are known to shuffle their support staff as well.

The management of all the IPL teams put their thinking caps on to judge which head coach will be ideal for their franchise and if he would fit the budget or not. Each coach plays a pivotal role in their side. They are responsible for ensuring that the preparation is perfect before the season begins. In addition, they are also responsible for ensuring a good atmosphere in the camp, team bonding, and act as the glue that binds the team together.

With an influx of new players in each camp year after year, the head coach must ensure that the team reacts to the changes positively and form a cohesive unit. Chennai Super Kings did not make any significant changes to the supporting staff and retained the core while Royal Challengers Bangalore went for a complete overhaul in the coaching staff. In this article, we will be taking a look at the head coaches of all the franchises for IPL 2020.

#1 Rajasthan Royals - Andrew McDonald

Rajasthan Royals had a poor run in IPL 2019 and finished at a dismal 7th position on the table - winning just 5 of their 14 matches.

The management decided to replace Paddy Upton on 21 October 2019 and Andrew McDonald was roped in as the new head coach. 38-year-old McDonald will aim to change the fate of the inaugural IPL Champions in IPL 2020.

The former all-rounder has experience of playing in the IPL himself. Andrew represented Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Australian scored a total of 123 runs in 11 matches and also has 11 scalps in his IPL career.

He has a few years of coaching experience having worked with Victoria, Big Bash League team Melbourne Renegades, and Leicestershire before.

Earlier in October 2019, McDonald was also appointed as the assistant coach to Australian men's cricket team. It will be interesting to see how the Royals play under McDonald.

Also Read | IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals SWOT Analysis

#2 Delhi Capitals - Ricky Ponting

After an impressive IPL 2019, Delhi Capitals decided to retain Ricky Ponting as head coach. The Shreyas Iyer-led franchise won 9 of their 14 matches last season to finish on the third position on the table.

DC won the eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad but failed to make it to the IPL 2019 final after a loss to three-time champions CSK in Qualifier 2. The Delhi-based franchise had finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2018 and IPL 2019 was a far better performance. A lot of it has to be credited to the support staff, especially Ricky Ponting.

However, DC will now be missing Sourav Ganguly, who was their advisor in IPL 2019, since he has been appointed as the BCCI president. Regardless, the Australian great Ponting will look to lead Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL title.

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#3 Kolkata Knight Riders - Brendon McCullum

Kolkata Knight Riders finished fifth in IPL 2019 after securing 6 wins from their 14 matches. The Shahrukh Khan co-owned franchise parted ways with 2019 head coach Jacques Kallis as well assistant coach Simon Katich. Kallis had held the position since 2015.

Former KKR player and veteran Kiwi player Brendon McCullum has been appointed the head coach for the 2020 season.

The former opening batsman represented KKR for five seasons. He has also played for Kochi Tuskers Kerala (now defunct), Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions (now defunct), and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

McCullum has played 370 T20s and 71 T20Is and also has a lot of experience playing at the senior-most level. He will look to use his expertise to ensure a good performance by two-time IPL champions. The Kiwi might just be the ideal figure at the helm as he also has fantastic leadership skills and will look to instill his aggressive, fearless style of playing in the Kolkataunit.

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#4 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Trevor Bayliss

Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL 2019 head coach Tom Moody has parted ways with the franchise. Trevor Bayliss, who led England to the World Cup title last year, has been named as Moody's replacement for IPL 2020. Meanwhile, Brad Haddin replaced Simon Helmot as the assistant coach of SRH. The team management will be hoping that the new coaching duo can help the franchise to their second IPL title.

SRH finished at the top of the table in IPL 2018 but the 2016 edition champions barely managed to make it to the playoffs in the previous edition. SRH won 6 out of their 14 matches in IPL 2019 and finished 4th ahead of KKR and KXIP by virtue of a better run rate.

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#5 Kings XI Punjab - Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble has also been the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team and is always on the radar of IPL teams for coaching duties. Kings XI Punjab finished at a disappointing 6th position on the table despite getting a good start in IPL 2019. They lost four of their last five games. The team management decided to part ways with 2019 head coach Mike Hesson.

Kumble was roped in by KXIP as their head coach and the Director of Cricket Operations for IPL 2020. It will be his first assignment for an IPL franchise. The veteran spinner was, however, the mentor for Mumbai Indians from 2013 to 2015.

The 49-year-old was behind KXIP's strategy during the auctions and was influential in bringing in players such as Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Jagdeesha Suchith, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Ravi Bishnoi. KL Rahul and co. are sure to learn a lot from the veteran Indian player and make the most of the opportunity in the coming edition.

Also Read | IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab SWOT Analysis

#6 Mumbai Indians - Mahela Jayawardene

Four-time champions Mumbai Indians have retained Mahela Jayawardane as their head coach. The former top-class batsman has held the position since the beginning of IPL 2017. This move comes as no surprise from the Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise as the Sri Lankan great led Mumbai to the title in IPL 2019 as well as IPL 2017. The 42-year-old has been pivotal for the Mumbai-based franchise and played an important role in their success. He will be looking forward to his fourth year as the head coach of Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma and co. will be looking to win the third title under Jayawardane and their fifth title overall.

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#7 Royal Challengers Bangalore - Simon Katich

The Virat Kohli-led unit has gone through a complete overhaul in its coaching staff. RCB parted ways with Gary Kirsten. Simon Katich, who coached Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2019, has been roped in as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2020.

Despite a star-studded line-up year after year, RCB are yet to become IPL champions. The Bangalore-based franchise finished with the wooden spoon in IPL 2019.

Mike Hesson has also been appointed as their Director of Cricket Operations. Adam Griffith replaces Ashish Nehra as the bowling coach. Sridharan Sriram will be the batting and spin bowling coach while Basu Shanker has been appointed as the strength and conditioning Coach.

It remains to be seen how RCB will fair in IPL 2020 but the franchise has put in a lot of effort in a bid to get positive results.

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#8 Chennai Super Kings - Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming (left) shares a great understanding with MS Dhoni (right)

Chennai Super Kings is the 2nd most successful team in the IPL with three titles. Stephen Fleming has been a part of the team since 2008. He played for the Chennai-based franchise in the inaugural edition of IPL before taking up coaching responsibilities.

The veteran has helped CSK to eight finals, a feat that is matched by no other team.

Fleming was the head coach for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017 (the two years when CSK had been suspended). The former New Zealand skipper helped CSK reach the final in IPL 2019 as well but they lost by 1 run in heartbreaking fashion.

MS Dhoni and Fleming share a phenomenal bond and understanding now. The franchise will hope the duo can work together and help the team clinch yet another IPL trophy in 2020.

Also Read | IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings SWOT analysis