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Dream Team - Legends who have doubled up as back-room support in the IPL

Here is a list of twelve cricket legends listed by Nishad Pai Vaidya, who apart from their on-field genius have also offered excellent back-room support in IPL history.

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Legendary Sachin Tendulkar (C) is part of the 12-man IPL's support-staff dream-team
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) has attracted some of the finest cricketing talent around the world – not just contemporary but also those who have bid farewell to the game. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks a dream XI of the legends who have masterminded various teams in the history of IPL.

1:  Adam Gilchrist, wicketkeeper  (Kings XI Punjab) 

Adam Gilchrist dazzled the Indian Premier League (IPL) post international retirement, leading the Deccan Chargers to victory in 2009. He then moved to Kings XI Punjab, where he played a big role in mentoring some of the young players. In 2012, he was appointed coach while he was still captain. Arguably the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in one-day cricket’s history.

2:  Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians)

Sachin Tendulkar featured for the Mumbai Indians in the first six seasons of the IPL. Many doubted his ability to bring his greatness into the shortest format, but he dispelled all those doubts by clinching the Orange Cap in 2010. Tendulkar retired in 2013 and then became an important part of the Mumbai think-tank. He continues to be seen at their matches.

3:  Ricky Ponting, captain (Mumbai Indians) 

Ricky Ponting had a tough time as a player in the IPL. In 2008, he played for the Kolkata Knight Riders with little success. Then, five years down the line, he returned as skipper for Mumbai. Yet again, he flopped and made way for Dwayne Smith at the top and Rohit Sharma as captain. However, Ponting found an important role in the backroom as he plotted Mumbai’s title triumph along with the other cerebral minds. In 2015, he was named their coach.

4:  Viv Richards (Delhi Daredevils)

In 2013, Viv Richards had been picked by the Delhi Daredevils for a short stint as an ambassador. At the same time, he also mentored some of the players. He famously told the team, “Do it to them before they do it to you.” The man who responded was Virender Sehwag, whose dashing innings took Delhi to victory against the formidable Mumbai side.

5:  Martin Crowe (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Martin Crowe had a very brief stint with an IPL side. Back in 2008, he was the Chief Cricket Officer for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. That year, Bangalore languished in the second half of the table. Crowe resigned later that year, which allowed Ray Jennings to take over as coach. Crowe was one of the most astute thinkers of the game and it would have been great to see him in another role in the IPL.
 

6:  Rahul Dravid (Rajasthan Royals)

Rahul Dravid is another Test great who showed that class can triumph in T20 cricket. He had a decent run with Bangalore, but it was with the Rajasthan Royals, where he came into his own as a batsman and as captain. In 2013, he led them through their most turbulent phase, in the midst of controversies marring their tournament. Post retirement, he has become one of the senior figures in their support staff.

7:  Jacques Kallis (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Being one of the main figures in their success over the years, Jacques Kallis made a seamless transition into the Kolkata backroom as a batting coach and mentor. Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen and replicated that in the IPL. Not only did he bat at the top, but also bowled crucial overs.
8:  Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals)

Shane Warne was captain and coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the first season. That year he led a team of relative unknowns to victory in the IPL. Warne had some competition for the spinner’s berth. Anil Kumble has been with Bangalore and Mumbai in varying roles. Muttiah Muralitharan is currently with Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Warne edges his contemporaries out.

9:  Wasim Akram (Kolkata Knight Riders)

One of the greatest bowlers to have graced the game, Wasim Akram has been Kolkata’s bowling coach for a few years. Akram has mentored many young fast bowlers during his tenure with his

10:  Waqar Younis (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

If Akram makes it, Waqar Younis cannot be far away. Akram and Waqar bowling in tandem in a threat for any batsman. Waqar is currently the coach of the Pakistan team, but he was with Hyderabad in 2013 as a bowling coach.

 11:  Allan Donald (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Allan Donald was with the Pune Warriors India. Presently, he is the bowling coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Imagine Donald bowling in tandem with Akram and Waqar. The batsmen would surely shiver at that sight. Where would they get their runs?

 12th man: Jonty Rhodes (Mumbai Indians)

Jonty Rhodes has been working with the Mumbai Indians as their fielding coach for a long time. Even though he is in his mid-40s, he is as fit as any 25-year-old. He could not break into the XI, but deserves a spot as a 12th man in this team.

Special mentions: Gary Kirsten, Kumble, Muralitharan, Tom Moody, Michael Bevan, Shaun Pollock and Daniel Vettori were in the mix but were edged out.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45. The above article was first published in CricketCountry)

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