Can IPL’s legacy coaches survive the test of time?

Stephen Fleming and Mahela Jayawardene have been the longest serving head coaches in the league so far

- Rasesh Mandani

“We haven't won the IPL in five years, obviously we'd like to. But there are teams that haven't won in forever.”

Mahela Jayawardene isn’t usually the one to throw barbs in press conferences. But an extended dry run coaching an all-star squad brings pressures that only the Sri Lankan would know of.

Before MI's barren run, they won an extraordinary five titles within a span of eight seasons (2013-20). The only other franchise to have matched MI's feat is Chennai Super Kings with five titles in 16 attempts. In IPL's 18-year history these two franchises have surged ahead to create a dynastic record. Surely, in a closed-tournament structure involving a uniform salary purse and no relegation it was too good to last. More teams were going to catch up at some stage.

With the game transcending conventional limits set by traditional formats and emboldened by data science, there are more claimants for the title. We have had four different winners in the last four editions, including two first-time champions.

Feeling the heat are Jayawardene and Stephen Fleming, two of the longest-serving head coaches in league history. The former Sri Lankan captain has been MI head coach since 2017—he moved to a directorial position in 2023-24 — and has overseen three winning campaigns. Fleming has been head coach since 2009—CSK were suspended in 2016-17 — and has literally seen the T20 format transform in front of his eyes.