As the tournament slowly progresses, check out which coaches are leading the top five ICC-ranked T20I sides
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is in progress, and
almost all the major teams have played their first games. While most teams are demonstrating their determination to compete, the top five ICC-ranked T20I sides, boasting a wealth of star players in their lineups, continue to inspire high expectations. However, for a moment, we wish to focus on the men who are guiding them in this tournament – the coaches.
In this article, check out the top coaches of the top ICC-ranked T20I sides in the tourney.
Gautam Gambhir – India
(Credit- News18)
Gautam Gambhir is one of the most controversial figures in Indian cricket history, but no one can deny that he was a key reason behind India’s successful 2007 T20I and 2011 ODI World Cup campaigns. Since 2024, India has played 38 T20Is with Gambhir as the team’s coach, having won 28, whereas five games ended in defeats. Gambhir may have struggled to shape the team in ODIs and Tests, but under him, India’s T20I is undoubtedly the strongest in the tournament.
Andrew McDonald – Australia
Australia’s head coach is Andrew McDonald, who oversees all three formats for the Baggy Greens. He became the head coach in 2022 with a four-year contract and was earlier the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals and the bowling coach of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In Australia’s domestic circuit, he served as the coach of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades. Under him, Australia so far has a winning percentage of 62.1 in T20Is.
Brendon McCullum – England
(Credit- Cricket Today)
One of the feistiest batters of his time, Brendon McCullum taught England to play Test the T20I way with his Bazball strategy. McCullum had the same character when he was a player, going for the big hits from the very beginning. Under his mentorship, England has a winning percentage of over 70 in T20Is with 17 victories in 27 matches, whereas seven games ended in defeats.
Rob Alun Walter – New Zealand
Rob Alun Walter has been a coach since 2009, working as the strength, conditioning, and fielding coach of the Proteas for four years. Later, he moved up the ladder with teams such as Pune Warriors India, Delhi Daredevils, Otago Volts, Central Stags and New Zealand A. In June 2025, he was announced as the head coach of New Zealand, and since then, the Kiwis have been decent, with 14 wins out of 26 T20I games.
Shukri Conrad – South Africa
Shukri Conrad took charge of South Africa in May and ensured the team lifted the World Test Championship. However, unlike the T20 World Cup 2024, where South Africa came close to lifting the trophy, the present team has not performed at the same level under Conrad, having lost seven out of 24 T20I games played so far. It will be intriguing to observe if South Africa can replicate their 2024 feats and even surpass them by winning the trophy.
