The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a global phenomenon, celebrated for its electrifying matches, high-octane finishes, and game-changing performances. While the spotlight often shines brightest on players smashing sixes or taking hat-tricks, the silent architects of many of these success stories are often found sitting quietly in the dugout – the mentors. Behind almost every breakout IPL star or spectacular career turnaround, there’s a guiding figure whose influence, trust, or tactical masterstroke altered the player’s journey forever.
In a tournament where pressure is immense and competition fierce, even the most talented cricketers can falter without the right support system. That’s where mentors step in – not just to fix techniques or draw up strategies, but to instil belief, offer emotional backing, and sometimes, completely reinvent a player’s role. Some have turned struggling youngsters into match-winners; others have transformed specialists into versatile threats through out-of-the-box thinking.
From strategic gambles that changed the game to words of wisdom that sparked confidence, mentors in the IPL goes far beyond the boundary ropes. In this blog, we look back at five remarkable instances where a mentor or coach’s influence didn’t just impact a season – it reshaped a player’s entire IPL career.
5. Stephen Fleming and Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad had a tough start in IPL 2020, with poor form and even a COVID-19 scare. But CSK coach Stephen Fleming and captain MS Dhoni backed him despite the noise. Fleming’s calm demeanour and long-term vision played a crucial role in Ruturaj’s resurgence.
Pivotal Moment: In IPL 2021, Gaikwad repaid that faith by winning the Orange Cap and playing a key role in CSK’s title-winning campaign. Fleming’s developmental focus helped Ruturaj become the backbone of CSK’s batting unit.
4. Brendon McCullum and Shubman Gill
During his stint as KKR head coach, Brendon McCullum showed unwavering trust in a young Shubman Gill. Despite calls for more explosive openers, McCullum persisted with Gill at the top, helping him develop consistency and maturity.
Pivotal Moment: Gill finished IPL 2020 as KKR’s top scorer. McCullum’s belief laid the foundation for Gill’s eventual breakout season in 2023 with the Gujarat Titans, where he won the Orange Cap. That phase with KKR helped Gill find his footing as a composed opener.
3. Shane Warne and Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan was relatively unknown before the inaugural IPL season. But under Shane Warne’s leadership at the Rajasthan Royals in 2008, he found the freedom to express himself. Warne’s mentorship instilled fearlessness in Yusuf, turning him into one of the league’s most explosive finishers.
Pivotal Moment: Yusuf’s 56 off 39 balls in the 2008 IPL final against CSK was match-defining. Warne’s belief in Yusuf’s raw power and match-winning potential changed his trajectory and earned him a place in the Indian team.
2. Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine was already a top-tier bowler when he joined KKR, but it was Gautam Gambhir who unlocked a whole new side to him, as a pinch-hitter. Gambhir pushed Narine to open the batting in 2017, a move that shocked many but paid off handsomely.
Pivotal Moment: In a match against RCB, Narine smashed a 15-ball fifty – the then-fastest in IPL history – setting a trend of using unconventional openers. Gambhir’s bold strategy extended Narine’s value to the team and redefined his T20 profile globally.
1. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja
When Ravindra Jadeja first came into the IPL spotlight, he was primarily known for his fielding and bits-and-pieces all-round abilities. But under the mentorship of MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings, Jadeja was groomed into a reliable match-winner. Dhoni’s constant backing – especially during lean patches – gave Jadeja the confidence to evolve as a death overs finisher and a dependable spinner.
Pivotal Moment: Dhoni once said in a post-match presentation, “Jaddu is someone I can throw the ball to at any time, and he’ll deliver.” That trust helped Jadeja grow into one of the most valuable assets in the league and even led to him captaining CSK briefly.
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