4 World Cup Winners Who Have Won IPL Both As Players And Coach

Abhinav Tyagi

Gautam Gambhir - (Source:@Johns/X.com)Gautam Gambhir - (Source:@Johns/X.com)

In the 17 years of IPL journey, eight teams have lifted the prestigious golden trophy. Among those, MI and CSK are the most successful ones, with five trophies to their name. Meanwhile, a few players have won trophies across teams, such as Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu, who are the most decorated players in IPL history with six trophies.

Among these feats, there is another section of players who have won trophies as a player and then went on to replicate the same feat as coaches. This article will shed light on them. 

1. Shane Warne

The late-spin maestro Shane Warne had started it all. He represented Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and also captained the side. It is worth noting that Warne had added responsibilities on his shoulders as he also coached RR and represented the side as a player-coach. 

He led RR to their maiden title in the inaugural season after the Royals beat Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2008 final. Thus, Warne went on to become the first player to have won an IPL title both as a player and coach. 

2. Ricky Ponting 

Australia legend Ricky Ponting is also present in this elite list. Notably, Ponting features for a couple of IPL franchises, but won an IPL trophy with Mumbai Indians in 2013. It was Ricky's only season with MI as a player and then joined the team as a coach. 

It is worth noting that Ponting was MI's head coach from 2014 to 2016. He then guided the Men in Blue to their second title in 2015 as a coach.

3. Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra settled quickly into his new role as a head coach after he was roped in by Gujarat Titans in 2022. In his first season as a coach, he guided the Titans to a trophy, making them the first team after Rajasthan Royals to lift a title in their maiden season. 

Further, Nehra also boasts a big IPL career as a player and won his maiden IPL title for SRH in 2016. It was his last team in IPL and second last season as a player in a cash-studded league. 

4. Gautam Gambhir 

Gautam Gambhir will go down in history as one of the main figures in KKR's history. Notably, Gambhir led the Knight Riders to their first two trophies in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir played a big part in the rise of KKR's legacy and brand value.

Further, Gautam returned to the Knight Riders for a season in 2024 as their mentor. He brought an immediate effect with him and helped KKR end their 10-year drought in IPL 2024 after KKR won the title under Shreyas Iyer's leadership.