5 Ex-Indian Cricketers Who Coached Other Nations

Ajay Jadeja gets felicitated by Afghanistan for his guidance during WC 2023 (Twitter)Ajay Jadeja gets felicitated by Afghanistan for his guidance during WC 2023 (Twitter)

Over the years, India has produced not only legendary cricketers but also some of the sharpest minds in the sport.

Many of these former Team India players have traded their bats for coaching caps, taking their deep well of knowledge and experience to teams across the globe.

These cricketing gurus have gone beyond borders, helping underdog teams punch above their weight and moulding the next generation of cricketing stars.

In this article, take a look at five of five ex-Indian cricketers who coached other nations:

5. Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand Rajput (Twitter)Lalchand Rajput (Twitter)

Lalchand Rajput's coaching career has been a whirlwind of achievements. Appointed as the manager of India's 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team, he played a crucial role in their historic victory.

His success led to his appointment as head coach of Afghanistan in 2016, where he guided them to significant victories, including defeating the West Indies, and helped them gain full ICC membership.

After a stint with Zimbabwe from 2018 to 2022, Rajput took over as head coach of the UAE national team in 2024, embarking on a new challenge to elevate cricket in the region.

4. Robin Singh

Robin Singh, one of India's finest fielders from the '90s, transitioned into a successful coaching career.

Starting with India's Under-19 team, he mentored future stars like Gautam Gambhir. His coaching journey took him to Hong Kong, the USA, and eventually the UAE as Director of Cricket in 2020.

With successful stints in the IPL, particularly with Mumbai Indians, and as coach of the Barbados Tridents in the CPL, Robin has proven his strategic brilliance across various formats.

3. Sridharan Sriram

Sridharan Sriram (Twitter)Sridharan Sriram (Twitter)

A former Indian all-rounder, Sridharan Sriram began making waves in the coaching world with his work with Australia A during their 2015 tour of India.

After making a mark with Australia A in 2015, he became a key consultant for Australia's national team, contributing to their 2019 Ashes campaign.

 In 2022, he took on the role of technical consultant for Bangladesh, transforming their T20 strategy. Sriram’s ability to adapt and enhance team performance has made him a valuable asset in international coaching.

2. Ajay Jadeja

Ajay Jadeja (Twitter)Ajay Jadeja (Twitter)

Ajay Jadeja’s cricketing career was marked by flair and finesse, attributes that he has successfully carried over into his coaching roles.

Known for his charismatic personality and sharp cricketing brain, Jadeja took on the role of assistant coach and mentor for the Afghanistan national team ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023.

He e played a significant role in their remarkable campaign, guiding them to four wins, including upsets against England and Pakistan. His influence was instrumental in transforming Afghanistan from underdogs to genuine contenders.

1. Sandeep Patil

Sandeep Patil (Twitter)Sandeep Patil (Twitter)

Sandeep Patil, a name synonymous with aggressive batting during his playing days, has carved out an equally impressive coaching career.

After a brief stint coaching the Indian national team in 1996, Patil’s coaching brilliance truly came to the fore during his time with the Kenya national team.

His most notable achievement was leading Kenya to the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup, a fairy-tale run that captured the cricketing world’s attention.

Patil also coached India’s ‘A’ teams and briefly guided Oman, contributing to the growth of cricket in developing nations.