Nearly two weeks have passed since the 2026 IPL opened in Bengaluru. Through the early phase of the tournament, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have caught the eye, and all three teams remain unbeaten. Punjab Kings and RCB were also the finalists in the previous season, adding extra weight to their start.
But beyond matchups and momentum swings, the competition is also being shaped by another force: the head coach. Because the coach holds the day-to-day steering wheel, the absence of a dominant, larger-than-life captain often makes their influence even more visible. In many franchises, you can spot a “signature” style that feels closely tied to the man in the role.
Quick facts
- The 2026 IPL began in Bengaluru and has reached the two-week mark.
- Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings are unbeaten so far.
- Mahela Jayawardene is Mumbai Indians’ head coach since 2025.
- Kumar Sangakkara leads Rajasthan Royals and the team has won all three matches so far.
- Andy Flower is RCB’s head coach; he has been credited with driving the franchise’s first IPL title.
- Matthew Hayden is the Gujarat Titans batting coach.
- Hemang Badani is Delhi Capitals’ head coach.
Most coaches in the IPL are former cricketers, and that background tends to show up in how they teach and how teams play. The patterns often mirror the way those players once batted or bowled—down to the instincts they value when the pressure rises.
Gautam Gambhir is a clear example of that continuity. As a player, he was known for his aggression and for delivering in knockout moments. Now, as a coach, he’s brought similar intensity to Team India’s setup, shaping mindsets as much as technique.
Different flavours, same goal
Every coach carries a distinct temperament into the dressing room, which is part of what makes the IPL such a rich watch. Players naturally receive much of the spotlight for performances, but the head coach’s role can be just as decisive—especially in how a team handles plans, pressure, and decision-making.
Mahela Jayawardene, who has been at the helm of Mumbai Indians since 2025, is often described as elegant in his approach. As a batter, he was composed and pleasing to the eye, and that same calm control seems to define his coaching. Ahead of Mumbai Indians’ opener, he emphasised that the franchise prioritises process over trophies, noting that the cupboard is already full—so there’s no need for desperation inside the camp.
At Rajasthan Royals, the mood is visibly sharper under Kumar Sangakkara. The franchise has won all three of its matches so far and sits at the top of the table. Sangakkara, as a batsman, was more forceful than Jayawardene, and RR’s current brand of cricket reflects that approach. Left-handers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are particularly set to benefit from his guidance, with Sangakkara remembered as one of the most stylish left-handed batters ever.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s head coach, Andy Flower, brings another kind of cricketing identity. Often regarded as the greatest Zimbabwean cricketer ever, Flower’s batting in the 1990s and early 2000s was spoken about in the same breath as legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting. He was inventive, and he was also a trailblazer—especially with reverse-sweeps, where he combined accuracy with consistency. Those traits appear to have been absorbed into RCB’s mindset.
Since 2024, Flower has been credited with reshaping RCB, and it’s widely seen that he played a key role in the franchise winning its maiden IPL title last season. The team’s structure and attacking intent have carried the imprint of that transformation.
From one personality to another: Matthew Hayden and Hemang Badani represent contrasting but effective coaching styles. Hayden, however, is not the head coach at Gujarat Titans—he works as the batting coach. Fans who followed cricket through the 1990s and 2000s will remember Hayden as a batter who was both threatening and aggressive, often charging down the wicket even against genuinely fast bowling. In the Titans’ setup, his presence signals plenty of aggression in the batting department, and left-handed batters like Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar can learn from his approach.
Delhi Capitals’ head coach Hemang Badani adds yet another angle. Despite there being no offence intended, his international record for India was limited, and he’s often remembered as a fairly average player at the highest level. Still, in a press conference in Delhi last month, he came across as quick-thinking and curious about modern trends in cricket. He may appear calm on the surface, but the choices he backs can be bold.
That boldness stood out in a notable tactical call against Lucknow Super Giants. Badani stopped David Miller and pushed Tristan Stubbs into the batting order instead. It proved to be a masterstroke: from 26/4, Delhi Capitals went on to win without losing another wicket.
Taken together, the early IPL story is not just about scores and results—it’s about coaching identities. The league functions like a mix-and-match of styles, attitudes and roles, and that variety keeps enriching the tournament, strengthening the case for why the IPL remains the most compelling cricket league in the world.
