Coaching Is About Trusting The Players: Simon Katich

Simon Katich, former Australian cricketer and the current head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, believes that the role of coaching can be a tough job, admitting that there are a lot of people in the pipeline, vying for the opportunity.

Katich will kickstart his coaching stint with the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, which will kickstart from September 19 with the Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi.

Katich, in a video posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore Twitter handle, opened up about the pressures of being in a coaching role, especially in such a high-profile competition like the IPL. The former Australian cricket, who has served the role of coaching during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders, likened the pressure of being a coach to being a player where you are fighting to keep your place in the team amidst raging competition.

“Coaching can be tough, there are a lot of guys who want to do it and there are limited spots. In a way, it is not that dissimilar when you are playing. When you are playing, there are a lot of guys who want to play at your spot and coaching is not that different really. When you are coaching, you are worried for the whole squad and you want to get the best out of everyone,” Simon Katich said.

Over a 100 games with one of the best Australian sides, and now considered among the most knowledgeable coaches in the cricketing world.

Here’s everything you need to know about our Head Coach, Simon Katich. #PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/kGODqCSotu

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 13, 2020

‘The opportunity was great to feature in such a competition’- Simon Katich on coaching IPL franchises

According to Simon Katich, the key to becoming a successful coach is building a trust factor with players and allowing them to make their own decisions.

“Coaching is about trusting the players and allowing them to make their own decisions. When I was a player, I always tried to be self-sufficient and if coaches and mentors can help you do that, that’s great. Ultimately you are out there on your own as a player,” he added.

The former Australian batsman also opened up about he got his first stint as a coach during his time with the KKR back in 2016. He also said that he considers himself fortunate for the opportunity to play as well as coach in a league such as the IPL.

“It happened back in 2016. An opportunity came during that phase only to be an assistant coach with KKR for the 2016 season. It happened by chance, I did not plan on going into the IPL as a coach. The opportunity was great to feature in such a competition. I was fortunate enough to play the IPL in the first couple of seasons back when it started.” he signed off.

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