Is Sourav Ganguly the first Indian to become coach of non-IPL franchise?

Sourav Ganguly is the head coach of Pretoria Capitals in SA20 2025-26.

Former Indian Cricket Team captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has commenced his coaching stint in SA20 2025-26. The former left-handed batsman is the head coach of Pretoria Capitals in this tournament, which started on December 26.

However, Capitals faced a defeat in their opening game of the tournament against Joburg Super Kings, losing by 22 runs. Hence, Ganguly suffered a setback in his first assignment as head coach. A total of six teams are battling for the title in SA20 2025-26, with the final scheduled for January 25, 2026.

Ganguly was appointed as the head coach of the side in August 2025, replacing Jonathan Trott in the post. Moreover, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has been appointed as the assistant coach of the franchise for the fourth edition of SA20.

Sourav Ganguly is the first Indian to become head coach of a franchise outside the IPL

Interestingly, Ganguly is the first Indian to become the head coach of a franchise outside the Indian Premier League (IPL). Moreover, it is also his first stint as the head coach of a team.

From 2015 to 2019, the 53-year-old was the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). In IPL 2019, he became the mentor of the Delhi Capitals. However, he left this position after the tournament to become the President of the BCCI, and completed a three-year term from October 2019 to October 2022.

In October 2024, he became the Director of Cricket at JSW Sports- the parent company of Delhi Capitals (IPL) and Pretoria Capitals (SA20) teams.

The role played a big part in him taking over as the head coach of the Capitals in the SA20 2025-26 edition. Notably, Ganguly is also the current President of CAB, having been re-elected for the post in September.

Meanwhile, Ganguly has a huge responsibility to guide the Capitals to a better show this season. The franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs in the previous edition, finishing in the fifth spot in the points table with just two victories and six defeats out of 10 games (2 No results). They aim for the maiden title in the current edition.

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