Former India coach Gary Kirsten yesterday replaced Daniel Vettori as the coach of IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kirsten was allready the batting coach of Bengaluru based franchise for the 11th season but the failure of Daniel Vettori as the coach, succeeded him to the post.
Vettori failed to create a difference in the last two years as the team failed to qualify for the play-offs. The former New Zealand spinner was associated with the team as a player and a coach from last 8 years. He coached the team from 2014 to 2018 season.
RCB is the one of those three franchise that started their IPL journey from the inaugural season in 2008 and since then they are yet to win a title. They came close to winning one in 2016, where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final in a comprehensive way.
“It has been a great eight-year journey with Daniel Vettori and we wish him the very best for all future endeavours. We are very happy to have Gary Kirsten take on the mantle of coach and mentor for RCB,” Team Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala said here.
I wish the franchise all the best- Vettori
“I am extremely grateful for the eight years I have spent with RCB, as a player and a coach and I wish the franchise all the best moving forward.”
Kirsten had a 10 experience of coaching the national teams of South Africa and India. He also coached BBL franchise team Hobart Hurricanes. It is clear that his role as a coach was favoured by skipper Virat Kohli, whose career started when Kirsten was the coach of Indian team way back in 2008.
“I had the privilege of coaching with the RCB team last season under head coach Daniel Vettori and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I look forward to continuing the journey with RCB and doing my best to help the franchise reach its potential. I want to thank the team management for considering me in a leadership position with the franchise and I look forward to a successful few years.” Kirsten said.
