Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was a legendary Indian cricketer, who was known for his sharp cricketing mind and deep understanding of the game. Recently, his national teammate voted Ashwin as the next Indian coach.

Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket last year during the Australia tour. He was one of the greatest off-spinners in Indian cricket history, while he was also massively popular as an all-rounder, especially in Test cricket. Apart from 537 Test wickets, the second-most Test wickets by an Indian, Ashwin also scored 3503 Test runs (average 25.75), including six centuries and 14 half-centuries. He is the only second cricketer in Test cricket history to record both 3500 Test runs and 450 Test wickets. 

Ashwin also recorded 156 ODI wickets and 72 T20I wickets, as he is the second leading wicket-taker for India in international cricket with 765 international wickets, only behind legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who recorded 953 international wickets for India. Although he retired from international cricket, he is active in T20 cricket, including in the IPL and TNPL. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara voted for Ravichandran Ashwin as future Indian coach

Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, with whom Ashwin played 78 Test matches, believes that Ashwin has the ability to become the Indian cricket team coach. Recently, on ESPNcricinfo, Pujara was asked who could be the future Indian coach. The right-handed top-order batter quickly revealed the name as "Ravichandran Ashwin."

Recent Indian coaches

Currently, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is the head coach of the Indian cricket team, where Team India has already experienced highs and lows. Under his coaching, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 last March. Before him, India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 under the coaching of former Indian captain Rahul Dravid. Under Dravid's coaching, India also finished as the runners-up in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where the hosts India mostly dominated, apart from losing the tournament Final against Australia. 

Before Dravid, former Indian cricketers Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri also coached the Indian team, while VVS Laxman has experienced it temporarily. 

After India suffered a heartbreaking 22-run defeat in the Lord’s Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again come under the scanner. Some cricket fans have already raised questions about whether he is fit for the coaching of the national team. 

Gautam Gambhir joined as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team in late July 2024, after India toured Zimbabwe 2024 (VVS Laxman was the interim head coach for that tour). Before Gambhir started his coaching journey for the Indian team, India were celebrating the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy win, which was their first ICC trophy in 11 years. 

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Team India's performance under the head coach Gautam Gambhir

(*India won the Super Over in the only tied match against Sri Lanka)

Gautam Gambhir’s coaching record in Test cricket

• Won the home two-match Test series against Bangladesh by 2-0.

• Lost the three-match home Test series against New Zealand by 3-0.

• Lost the five-match away Test series against the hosts Australia (Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25) by 3-1.  

• Trailing the five-match away Test series against the hosts England (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2024-25) by 2-1 after the third Test. 

Gautam Gambhir’s coaching record in ODI cricket

• Lost the three-match away ODI series against the hosts Sri Lanka by 2-0, with a tied result. 

• Won the three-match home ODI series against England by 3-0.

• Won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (didn’t play a match in Pakistan), where they won all five matches in the tournament.  

Gautam Gambhir’s coaching record in T20I cricket

• Won the three-match away T20I series against the hosts Sri Lanka by 3-0.

• Won the three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh by 3-0.

• Won the four-match away T20I series against the hosts South Africa by 3-1.

• Won the five-match home T20I series against England by 4-1. 

Is Gautam Gambhir fit for the Indian head coach?

While India under Gambhir’s coaching have very strong results in both the ODI and T20I formats, including winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by winning all five matches, they have struggled massively in Test cricket.

Despite the strong results in the white-ball formats, Gautam Gambhir’s coaching has been criticised heavily for poor Test results. The Test team management has been questioned every time, and the selection process hasn’t been understandable to some experts. Many believe that if India suffers a Test series defeat in the ongoing England tour (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025), where India are trailing by 2-1 after the third Test at Lord’s in the five-match Test series, coach Gautam Gambhir can face massive fire from the board.

However, India are also preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. While the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching team has brought strong white-ball results in their early period, the “coaching under pressure” isn’t an easy phrase.  

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has temporarily stepped away from the national team midway through their ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. His departure comes at a tough time for the Tigers, who had already suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Test series and lost the opening ODI of the three-match contest. Bangladesh was handed a heavy 77-run defeat in the first ODI at Colombo on July 2.

In that match, the Bangladeshi batting lineup suffered a shocking collapse despite a strong start while chasing 245. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed described the performance as “unexpected,” as Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis wreaked havoc. The spin duo shared seven wickets to decimate Bangladesh, who lost seven wickets for just five runs—the worst seven-wicket collapse in men’s ODI history.

Amid the on-field struggles, Simmons’s sudden exit sparked speculation about a performance review by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). However, the team management clarified that Simmons had pre-scheduled medical commitments. He left for London on July 5 for a two-day medical consultation. Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed Simmons had postponed the appointment earlier due to Champions Trophy duties and couldn’t delay it further.

Simmons to Return Ahead of 3rd ODI, Confirms Team Manager

“Phil Simmons is going to tour for two days for personal reasons. He had a doctor’s appointment in February, but he missed that due to the Champions Trophy. Now the appointment with the physicians cannot be changed. He tried to change it, but somehow he could not do that,” said Nafees Iqbal. He also confirmed that Simmons had informed the BCB of his plans before the tour began.

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“Before the start of the tour, he spoke with the board in this regard and planned accordingly. He is leaving today and will return on 7 July,” he added. Simmons will miss the second ODI on July 5 but is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of the third and final ODI. Following the ODI series, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

In a fresh development ahead of Pakistan’s new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the acting head coach of the men’s red-ball team. The appointment comes following the exit of Australian Jason Gillespie, with Mahmood stepping up after previously serving as the team’s bowling coach and assistant head coach.

A familiar face within the Pakistan setup, Mahmood brings both continuity and experience. His stint as a player saw him feature in 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan, and in the years following retirement, he carved out a respectable coaching career, most notably with Pakistan and several T20 franchises globally.

"A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience," the PCB said in an official statement. “His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, makes him exceptionally well-suited for this position.”

The statement also highlighted Mahmood’s domestic red-ball success in England, where he clinched two County Championship titles, an achievement that speaks to his understanding of long-format cricket and leadership.

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Azhar Mahmood’s Interim Stint Begins with South Africa Challenge in New WTC Cycle

Former pacer and 1992 World Cup winner Aaqib Javed had been filling in on an interim basis after Gillespie’s departure last year. With Mahmood’s elevation, Pakistan hopes to adopt a more structured approach as it builds towards a new WTC campaign.

Mahmood’s first big challenge will be a home Test series against South Africa later this year, marking the beginning of Pakistan’s journey in the new WTC cycle. The two-match series promises to be a stern test for a team in transition, but one that the PCB believes Mahmood is well-equipped to handle.

"The PCB is confident that under Azhar’s guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline, and performance on the global stage,” the statement concluded. With a blend of modern tactics and traditional red-ball sensibility, Mahmood's tenure, though interim, could shape the direction of Pakistan's Test cricket in the years to come.

Azhar Mahmood has been appointed the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's national team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Mahmood will serve in the role until the conclusion of his current contract, which spans Pakistan's upcoming Test assignments against South Africa in October and Sri Lanka in December-January—both at home.

Mahmood, who has been Pakistan’s assistant coach since April last year, previously took charge as head coach during the T20I series at home against New Zealand earlier this year. The 50-year-old former all-rounder represented Pakistan in 143 ODIs and 21 Tests from 1996, retiring with 162 international wickets and three centuries to his name.

“A seasoned cricketing mind, Azhar Mahmood steps into the role with an impressive portfolio of experience,” the PCB noted in a statement. “Having served as the assistant head coach of the national side, Azhar has long been a pivotal part of the team's strategic core. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with hands-on international exposure and proven success in the English county circuit, make him exceptionally well-suited for this position."

A Leadership Role Rooted in Experience

“His red-ball pedigree is underscored by two County Championship titles [with Surrey]—an achievement that speaks volumes about his leadership, tactical acumen, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” the PCB added. “The PCB is confident that under Azhar's guidance, the red-ball squad will continue to grow in strength, discipline, and performance on the global stage."

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Pakistan has not had a full-time Test head coach since Jason Gillespie stepped down in December 2024, just six months into his tenure. Aaqib Javed then served as interim head coach for the tours to South Africa and the home series against the West Indies. He also stepped in temporarily for the white-ball squad after Gary Kirsten’s resignation in October 2024. Mike Hesson has since taken over that role. Pakistan ended the last WTC cycle at the bottom of the table, with only five wins in 14 matches.

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has been named head coach of Australia "A" side for the coming season, marking a new chapter in his post-playing career. With a number of senior Australian Test players nearing retirement, Cricket Australia is starting to invest significant resources into developing the next batch of talent—making Paine's new appointment an important one in the national setup.

Since his retirement from the game of professional cricket in 2023, Paine has been close to the game through media commentary and work and the odd bit of coaching with the Australia women's team and the Australia "A" program. But with this full-time role now secured, Paine confirmed he would leave his radio show to be able to do it all full-time.

"It's time to spread my wings," Paine told listeners on SEN radio on Friday. "I've been working with Australia 'A' as an assistant coach, and the opportunity has come up for me to be the head coach. I feel like it's a hard balancing act to pursue a coaching career and talk in the media. The Australia 'A' program is very exciting; there's a lot of young talent to work with. It's something I really enjoy doing. I'm very lucky, and I'm really looking forward to the next part of my journey."

Australia eyes generational shift with Paine at the helm

Australia could see a significant turnover in its Test squad following this year's Ashes, with experienced players like Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon all in the twilight of their careers. In this context, the Australia "A" side will serve as a critical pipeline for future national players, and Paine’s leadership will be key in preparing them for the highest level.

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Cricket Australia also confirmed that Paine will continue contributing to the women’s national team and maintain his role with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. The Australia A squad for the upcoming fixtures includes Joel Curtis, Harry Dixon, Zanden Jeh, Campbell Kellaway, Angus Lovell, Rafael MacMillan, Ollie Peake, Lloyd Pope, Niv Radhakrishnan, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, and Lachlan Shaw.

Trinbago Knight Riders have appointed West Indies legend Dwayne Bravo as their new head coach for the CPL 2025 season. Team manager Colin Borde confirmed the news, which is a big change in the coaching configuration for the four-time champions. Bravo will take over from former West Indies coach Phil Simmons, who had joined the franchise in 2023.

This new role adds to Bravo’s growing coaching portfolio, as he is already the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) head coach in the ILT20 and the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) head coach in Major League Cricket. Being promoted to TKR head coach is viewed as a tactical initiative to introduce continuity across Knight Riders' global operations, given Bravo’s deep involvement with the brand.

One of the most successful CPL players, Bravo offers a lifetime of experience, leadership, and a winning mindset to the job. The appointment is likely to galvanize the TKR setup, particularly with a few young players on the team eager to make a statement in the next season.

TKR Announce Squad for CPL 2025

The Trinbago Knight Riders have officially announced their team for the next 2025 Caribbean Premier League season. The franchise has retained their seasoned core with T20 veterans such as Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, and Akeal Hosein. In overseas roles, TKR has added names like Alex Hales, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, and Ali Khan to add strength and depth to the team.

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The CPL 2025 draft was conducted on June 18, in which all six franchises completed their rosters. The competition will start on 14 August and finish on 21 September, with games being played throughout the Caribbean and the final to be played in Guyana. TKR Squad for CPL 2025: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, Ali Khan, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Terrance Hinds, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Da Silva, and Nathan Edward.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has selected ex-Indian cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar to be the head coach of the India A side for their soon-to-be-conducted shadow tour of England, scheduled from May 30, 2025. The tour is an important component of preparations for India's senior team's five-match Test series against England from June 20. Kanitkar, who represented India in a few Tests and ODIs, had a fruitful domestic career, scoring more than 8,000 runs, and now carries that expertise to an important developmental role.

Kanitkar’s coaching experience includes the IPL coaching of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala along with his current domestic side of Maharashtra. Kanitkar, who is described as being calm and possessing a good tactical mind, has significantly contributed to pushing young talent in all formats. His new role with India A comes at a crucial moment, as India needs to rebuild the Test side after the recent retirements of players from the format, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The IPL 2025 season is slated to return on May 17 and end on June 3, so the player focus will transition from white ball to red ball cricket very quickly.

India A team, with Abhimanyu Easwaran as captain, boasts such exciting names as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Shardul Thakur, with Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan joining from the second match. The tour itinerary includes two four-day games against the England Lions, a mid-tour intra-squad match, and a game against the senior Indian team. All these games are meant to test fringe players' preparedness and condition for the eagerly awaited Test series.

Also Read: India A squad announced for shadow tour against England Lions

A New Chapter for India A Squad 

Kanitkar's appointment heralds a new direction for India A in a transition period. His skill in counseling young players through hostile conditions will be crucial as the side learns to cope with English wickets and match pressure.

With his guidance and experience, India A's shadow tour can be the defining piece of work in shaping India's red-ball future in the build-up to the WTC 2025–27 cycle.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, made the announcement of Mike Hesson being appointed as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team from May 26, a day following the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season. Hesson, who has coached the Black Caps to the 2015 World Cup final, has also been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) of the IPL, among other franchises. His success with Islamabad United, the defending champions of the PSL, recently made him a strong candidate after the PCB reviewed many applications in light of the team's tour of New Zealand in April.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did believe Hesson was a sound appointment based on his record of developing competitive teams. Hesson replaces interim coach Aqib Javed, who stepped down after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where Pakistan bowed out in the group stage. Javed has switched to Director of High Performance as a complement to Hesson's appointment, with the PCB seeking to reinvigorate its white-ball cricket prior to a jam-packed international calendar, which will feature a home ODI series and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

A New Era for Pakistan's White-Ball Cricket

Hesson's appointment has been welcomed widely on social media, where supporters and commentators view it as a big win for the PCB, as he possesses tactical brains and an understanding of Pakistani cricket via the PSL. His first task will probably be a T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing in late May, with games in Lahore and Faisalabad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan mens cricket team effective from May 26, a day after the culmination of the PSL 2025 season.https://t.co/a0K9k4OQqi

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) May 13, 2025

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The PCB is optimistic that Hesson's strategic experience will help rectify Pakistan's recent woes in limited-overs cricket, such as a disastrous Champions Trophy outing and only one victory in nine white-ball games on their New Zealand tour this year. With a new eye, Hesson wants to create a competitive team, paving the way for a revolutionary era in Pakistan's white-ball cricket.

The head coach of the Indian cricket team and former MP, Gautam Gambhir, received a chilling death threat involving two emails on April 22 with the subject line, “I KILL YOU.” The two emailed threats originated from a group taking the name of “ISIS Kashmir” just days after 26 people died in the Pahalgam terror attack. With the public already on edge from the terrorist act, the people asking questions about the safety of a high-profile public figure in their own right are taking it to another level. 

Gambhir has never been one to shy away from his opinions against terrorism and in support of national security and quickly alerted the authorities. Gambhir filed a formal complaint with the Delhi Police, who quickly registered an FIR and began investigating. Gambhir is not new to these same types of intimidation, as the attacks accompanied him during his political career. However, in light of the current threat assessment and the direct nature of that threat, all the scrutiny attached to his position as one of India's most scrutinized athletes has created heightened concern. 

We have been informed about an alleged threat mail received on an email ID associated with Gautam Gambhir. The matter is being investigated," said DCP (Central) M. Harsha Vardhan.Delhi Police are currently attempting to identify the email's origin. Gambhir's current details have been reviewed and have reportedly been examined and increased. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) could also take part in the investigation, indicating the seriousness of the threat. Gambhir continues to maintain his public commitments but has demanded full protection for himself and his family.

See Also: ' You're sheltering and nurturing terrorists'—Former' Pakistan cricketer blames PM Shehbaz Sharif after Pahalgam attack

Rising Threats to Public Figures in India

Make no mistake, this is not the only case. We are seeing a growing threat to public figures, particularly those aligned with stronger nationalist or anti-terror views, who have increasingly become tertiary targets- and soft targets at that—for extremist groups. The threat matrix has evolved, particularly as the digital realm has been weaponized for intimidation without borders. Public figures and those in the public eye, be they journalists, politicians, social/entertainment figures, or sports and celebrity icons, are increasingly more targeted.

It is now time for the government to change to a proactive way of security. At the end of the day, reactive and passive protection is increasingly inadequate as the threats multiply and become more complex. We need an overhaul of how to specifically do digital surveillance, threat detection, and personal security for those in the public domain. Gambhir has delivered a flare-a cry for help that requires immediate structural change.

Finally, this episode illuminates that fame and service come at a significant personal price during volatile times. As India confronts insecurities internally and externally, it is crisis engagement at every level of society to protect the ambassadors of courage and national pride who openly take risks in terms of their lives-not only to create art but also through dialogue and messaging. The disquieting truth is greatly distasteful, and the time is now to proactively protect these individuals in conflict and danger.