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The Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, with the opening game between the hosts Pakistan and the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium. The massive eight-team ODI tournament is expected to deliver unprecedented action to cricket supporters. Assessing the level of competition in the tournament, not just players but the supporting staff will also have to be at their best to help their sides put up marvellous shows.
Head coaches will be responsible for chalking out excellent plans so that players can hand success to their teams by implementing them on the field. In the past, it’s witnessed how names such as Trevor Bayliss, Rahul Dravid, and Gary Kirsten utilised their cricketing prowess to help some teams pull off the distinguished International Cricket Council (ICC) titles. This time, all eight coaches will strive their best to help their teams clinch the coveted Champions Trophy. Prior to the marquee tournament, let’s meet coaches of all sides who will be responsible for the success or failures of their teams.
Here are the eight teams and their head coaches
8. Afghanistan: Jonathan Trott
Former England player Jonathan Trott has been associated with the Afghanistan cricket team since August 2022. His stint is marked with remarkable success as the Afghan side looked impressive in the 2023 World Cup played in India and the 2024 T20 World Cup, held in the US and West Indies. Afghanistan showed their mettle in the grand ODI event, beating quality sides such as England and Pakistan while in the massive T20I competition, they hammered Australia and New Zealand. Noting Trott’s success, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) extended his contract until 2025 in December 2024.
7. Bangladesh: Phil Simmons
Bangladesh, who are placed in Group A along with India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, will be coached by former West Indies player Phil Simmons. The upcoming ICC event will be Simmons’ most-challenging task as he joined the side in October 2024 after Chandika Hathurusingha was axed as the Bangla side’s coach due to disciplinary issues. Simmons has a short-term contract which will end after the Champions Trophy 2025.
6. Pakistan: Aaqib Javed
In November 2024, former pacer Aaqib Javed was handed the responsibility to coach Team Pakistan in white-ball formats of the sport until the Champions Trophy 2025. Under his guidance, the Men in Green whitewashed South Africa in the three-match ODI series played in the latter’s backyard. Javed will look to utilise his cricketing prowess to help Pakistan do wonders in the upcoming ODI extravaganza and get his contract extended from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
5. New Zealand: Gary Stead
Gary Stead will be seen coaching New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025. Former Kiwi player took the coaching mantle in August 2018 and under his leadership, New Zealand achieved success in clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) mace after beating India in Southampton in June 2021.
4. South Africa: Rob Walter
Rob Walter will strive to help South Africa bring the Champions Trophy home after 27 years. Back in January 2023, he became the head coach of the Protea side in the limited-over formats. Riding on his coaching potential, South Africa made it to the knockouts in World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024.
3. England: Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum was appointed the head coach of England’s white-ball formats in January 2025. In 2022, the New Zealander joined the English team as Test coach. Noting his remarkable performance in Tests, the England Cricket Board (ECB) inducted him into white-ball teams’ coaching staff.
2. Australia: Andrew McDonald
In October 2019, former Australia speedster Andrew McDonald became the assistant to Justin Langer, who was coaching the Aussie side then. After Langer’s resignation in early 2022, McDonald received the mantle in April 2022. Under him, the Aussies hammered India in the 2023 World Cup final and won their sixth title.
1. India: Gautam Gambhir
After India’s second T20 World Cup success, Rahul Dravid resigned as India’s head coach. Replacing Dravid, former India player Gautam Gambhir took the top position in July 2024. Gambhir’s stint with IPL’s side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) helped him become the coach as the Kolkata-based franchise claimed their third title under his leadership. Champions Trophy 2025 will be Gambhir’s biggest challenge since his appointment.
