Australia’s assistant coach and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach, Daniel Vettori, has chosen to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah instead of being part of the Australian team for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Perth. The clash between the auction dates (November 24-25) and the Test match (November 22-26) has prompted Vettori to prioritize his IPL commitments.
CA supports Vettori’s decision
Cricket Australia (CA) has backed Vettori’s decision, acknowledging his dual roles. “We are very supportive of Dan’s role as head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will complete preparations for the first Test before attending the IPL auction and will rejoin the team for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” said a CA spokesperson.
Vettori’s dual coaching commitments
Vettori, who joined Australia’s coaching staff in 2022, balances his commitments with franchise leagues. His deal with CA allows him to dedicate a specified number of days to the national team, enabling him to work with SRH in the IPL and Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Lachlan Stevens to step in
To cover for Vettori’s absence during the Perth Test, CA has appointed Lachlan Stevens as a temporary replacement. Stevens, who has experience coaching Australia A and the Under-19 team, will assist the Australian team during this period.
Context: IPL auction and Test overlap
The IPL 2025 auction has become a high-priority event for Vettori, especially as SRH aims to strengthen its squad. This isn’t the first time Vettori has juggled responsibilities; in 2023, he managed both roles when the auction took place outside Australia’s summer schedule. However, this year’s clash has forced him to make a choice, highlighting the growing demands on high-profile coaches with multiple commitments.