Top 10 coaches who found India’s biggest cricket icons, featuring Kohli, Dhoni and more

8. Kapil Dev - Late Desh Prem Azad

India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev's childhood coach, late Desh Prem Azad, played a big role in shaping the former cricketer's cricketing career. Azad also guided players like Chetan Sharma, Yograj Singh, and Ashok Malhotra. A former first-class cricketer himself, Azad played 19 matches between 1953 and 1973, but it was his coaching that came into the forefront. In 1986, he was honoured with the Dronacharya Award, India’s highest coaching recognition.

Azad was known for his strict routines and care for his players. He once stopped Kapil from training for coming late. Azad believed in mental strength and was always present, whether it was early morning sessions or supporting players after tough matches. Dev first trained under Desh Prem Azad as a young boy. He did not care much about diet or comfort - all he wanted was to play for India. After being pulled up by his coach for being late, Kapil changed his routine completely. Kapil always gave credit to his coach, saying he was a friend, guide, and the reason behind his success.

"If I achieved anything, a lot of credit goes to him. He coached me from the beginning of my career. I remember the first day I went to the stadium and I only learnt from him. He was more of a friend to me later on; he was not just a coach," Kapil told ESPNcricinfo.

7. Sarfaraz Khan - Naushad Khan:

Young Indian cricketers Sarfaraz Khan and his young brother Musheer have been trained by their father Naushad since childhood. He began coaching Sarfaraz at a young age, and later got his brother into the same routine. Despite financial struggles, Naushad never compromised on his sons' training, by doing odd jobs and travelling across cities to support their ambitions.

He took care of every detail, from physical fitness to technique, and supported Sarfaraz even when selectors repeatedly overlooked him despite big domestic performances. He trained his sons with long batting sessions, sometimes making Sarfaraz face 700 deliveries in a day. His house in Mumbai was more like a mini cricket camp. When Sarfaraz finally made his Test debut in Rajkot, Naushad broke down in tears. Sarfaraz even handed him the Test cap and shared an emotional moment with his father.