IPL 2018: Gary Kirsten Likely to Join Royal Challengers Bangalore

Former India coach Gary Kirsten is likely to return to Indian Premier League (IPL) in a coaching role with the franchise based team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Kirsten will look after the coaching responsibilities although a definite coaching role has not been announced yet. RCB is to make the news public. Daniel Vettori, who had worked with the franchise as a head coach in the past years will now work with the team management.

Kirsten started his coaching career in IPL with the Delhi Daredevils (DD) when he was signed for a three-year contract by the franchise in 2014. However, he was removed from the position of head coach’s role after two years following DD’s poor performance, as they finished eighth and seventh on the points table.

Kirsten had a poor record, as his team only registered seven wins in 28 games with 20 defeats across the two season.

Despite having a poor show, Kirsten coaching career has taken a high, as he makes his debut with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL). Kirsten was selected by Ricky Pointing and David Boon, as Damien Wright resigned from the job after finishing second last in the last edition of BBL.

Also Read: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Could Retain for 11th Edition

Kirsten is the only coach to take two teams to the top of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Ranking List; India in 2009 and South Africa in 2012.

Vettori, on the other hand, had a poor season to start off, as the head coach in 2014, Bangalore finished in the seventh place; however, they bounced back in the next edition, as they finished third in the league stages but lost to Chennai Super Kings in the qualifier.

RCB charged into the final next season with some outstanding performance but finished second, as they were stunned by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals. However, they had a dismal stint in the previous season, as they ended up last in 2017.

Also Read: 3 Players Royal Challengers Bangalore Would Like To Retain

Along with their skipper Virat Kohli, RCB is expected to retain South Africa’s AB De Villiers and are likely to use the Right to Match card for young leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Caribbean powerhouse Chris Gayle.

Also Read: MS Dhoni to lead the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2018