Which IPL team has changed the most head coaches in last 10 years? ft. Punjab Kings
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is fast approaching with reports claiming a mega auction will take place ahead of the tournament. There has already been quite a buzz about the reported auction, players, and teams.
While changes are certain in how the teams will shape up, there have also been some changes already made to the support staff of a few teams. In a recent development, Punjab Kings announced Ricky Ponting as their head coach ahead of the IPL 2025 season. Ponting parted ways with Delhi Capitals earlier this year after being their head coach for seven seasons.
Punjab Kings have now roped in the former Australian skipper with the hope of turning around their fortunes after successive failures to make the playoffs. With Ponting heading to Punjab, Delhi Capitals are yet to announce their new head coach.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have appointed T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid as their head coach for the 2025 season. On that note, let us take a look at the top five teams that have changed most head coaches in the last ten years of the IPL.
#1 Punjab Kings
While Punjab Kings are yet to win the IPL even once, they top the list of the teams that have changed the most head coaches in the last ten years. Sanjay Bangar was their head coach for the 2014 season, where they made the final but could not get over the last hurdle.
Veteran Indian opener and former Punjab player Virender Sehwag replaced Bangar as their head coach in 2017. However, his stint was short-lived as Brad Hodge took over the role in 2018. Hodge did not last long either as Mike Hesson was appointed their head coach just a year later in 2019.
Hesson's run was short-lived too. Anil Kumble was made their next head coach from the 2020 edition. Kumble spent three seasons in the role before he was replaced by Trevor Bayliss in 2023. Their latest change comes with the appointment of Ricky Ponting as head coach ahead of IPL 2025.
#2 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are another side that have never won the IPL despite having top players over the years. They have played three finals but have failed to get their hands on the trophy.
Former RCB skipper Daniel Vettori was their head coach from 2014 to 2018. In 2019, India's 2011 World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten was appointed RCB's head coach in what turned out to be a disastrous season for the franchise. He was then replaced by Australian Simon Katich, who was at the helm in 2020 and 2021.
For the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Sanjay Bangar was their head coach before Andy Flower recently took over in 2024.
#3 Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) beat RCB in the final in 2016 to clinch the IPL trophy. They have also changed their head coach four times in the last 10 years. Tom Moody had a long run from 2013 to 2019.
He was replaced by Trevor Bayliss in 2020. After a couple of seasons though, Tom Moody returned as SRH's head coach in 2022. This time around, his stint was a short one as West Indies legend Brian Lara took over in 2023.
Just after a season though, SRH changed their head coach once again, bringing in former RCB skipper and head coach Daniel Vettori into their setup.
#4 Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. However, they have failed to replicate that success since.
In 2018 and 2019, Paddy Upton was Rajasthan's head coach. However, they brought in Andrew Mcdonald for the 2020 season. Mcdonald did not stay at the helm for long as RR then roped in Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara as their head coach in 2021.
After four seasons as their head coach, Sangakkara has now been replaced by former RR player and India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid.
#5 Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are the defending champions, having won the IPL for the third time in 2024. Trevor Bayliss was KKR's head coach from 2012 to 2015, a period where the team enjoyed most success, winning two titles in 2012 and 2014.
Legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis took over the position in 2016. Much later in 2020, former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was appointed their head coach. After two seasons though, KKR replaced him in the role with Chandrakant Pandit.
Head coaches changed by other teams in the last ten years
Mumbai Indians - 3
Delhi Capitals - 2
Chennai Super Kings - None