Five Most Influential Coaches During The 21st Century

The role of coaches and mentors has never been so significant in a team’s development as it is now. Not only is the person responsible for the side winning games, but also teaching them playing in the right spirit and how to conduct themselves on the field. Hence, a lot lies in the coach’s plate before an outfit heads for a pressure match or crucial clash.

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Over the last many years, coaches of a few countries have been integral to their side’s upsurge. Such men took over the role during tumultuous times and turned their fortunes around in a matter of few months. Hence, even after their contracts expired, the entire team made sure that they follow the same culture, thereby heading in the right direction.

We take a look at five most influential coaches during the 21st century:

John Wright:

John Wright was installed as the coach of the Indian team in 2000 right after the side went through the infamous match-fixing scandal that saw Mohammad Azharuddin receive a life ban. He formed an impressive partnership with the newly appointed captain, Sourav Ganguly that helped in the revival.

The collaboration catapulted the men in blue to some famous victories, including the 2001 home series against Australia. Furthermore, the former Kiwi batsman led to series victories in Pakistan and Test triumphs in Australia and England. Under the duo, India also made it to the finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Wright vacated the position in 2005.

Mike Hesson:

Mike Hesson deservedly receives the credit for overseeing one of New Zealand’s golden period in the modern-day era. In his six-year term from 2012 to 2018 has seen the Kiwis one of the unprecedented forces in international cricket. Hesson’s partnership with Brendon McCullum and then Kane Williamson rewarded success of enormous proportions. Under the 45-year old, the Black Caps won eight out of eleven Test series, mainly dominating teams on their home soil.

In red-ball cricket, they won and lost 21 Tests each, in ODIs; they stood triumphant in 65 games while losing 46. As far as T20Is are concerned, the Kiwis won 30 fixtures and suffered defeat in 26. Under McCullum’s leadership, they reached the finals of the 2015 World Cup. Hesson cultivated an aura of fearless gameplay in the Kiwi squad, which also inspired England’s limited-overs success after their 2015 World Cup debacle.

Justin Langer:

Australia’s shameful ball-tampering fiasco in March 2018 gave way to Justin Langer taking charge as Darren Lehmann stepped down voluntarily. The Western Australian had far from a fulfilling start even as their David Warner, and Steve Smith were banned for a year. In Langer’s first few months, Australia suffered defeats against England, Pakistan, South Africa, and India across formats.

The turning point of his coaching stint arguably came when the men in yellow won the five-match ODI series in India in early 2019 after being 0-2. After that, Australia went on to clean-sweep Pakistan and 50-over cricket and performed beyond expectations in the 2019 World Cup.

Yet, amongst all these, the former opening batsman’s most significant success was making his side retain the Ashes in 2019 in England first time since 2001. Justin Langer’s biggest plus point of his coaching stint so far has been the tremendous belief in his boys despite numerous setbacks. Also, the 49-year old knows how to express tough love on his players.

Andy Flower:

Andy Flower joined the English team as their assistant coach to the head coach, Peter Moores. Following the departure of Moores in April 2009, the former prolific Zimbabwean batsman received the full-time role. If England retaining the Ashes that year was a success, a monumental one followed in 2010 as the Englishmen lifted the T20 World Cup. It was the Three Lions’ first-ever ICC trophy.

The Strauss-Flower partnership continued their ascendancy by beating Australia once again, this time at their backyard in Ashes 2010/11. In 2011, they climbed to the top of the Test rankings by comprehensively dethroning India. Under the 51-year old, the Brits enjoyed their third successive Ashes success in 2013 by a scoreline of 3-0.

However, drubbing receiving a 0-5 at the hands of the Baggy Greens Down Under in 2013-14 Ashes series signalled his end. Following the tourists’ loss in the ODI series loss as well, Flower relinquished the post.

Gary Kirsten:

Gary Kirsten’s appointment as the coach was arguably the turning point in Indian cricket after Greg Chappell’s tenure left them in turmoil. The former South African batsman officially began his stint in March 2008. Not only Kirsten brought together the core of the Indian team but also instilled confidence, openly discussed issues, and significantly improved the batters’ techniques.

Under the former Proteas’ opener, the men in blue remained near unbeatable in India and conquered the sub-continent. During his tenure, India won its first Test and ODI series in New Zealand after 40 years and bagged the first bilateral series in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka.

But his most significant success with the Indian team was making them win the 50-over World Cup in 2011 after 28 long years. At the end of it, as Kirsten decided not to renew his contract with the side, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, and Yusuf Pathan carried him on their shoulders to pay him respect. Before India’s tour of South Africa in 2010/11, the then captain MS Dhoni labelled him as “The best thing to happen to Indian cricket”.

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