IPL 2022: PBKS Fielding Coach Jonty Rhodes Takes Over Batting Coach Responsibilities As Well

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) fielding coach, former South Africa batter Jonty Rhodes has taken over as the franchise’s batting coach duties as well, after the departure of Wasim Jaffer who quit his job ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Wasim Jaffer had joined the franchise ahead of IPL 2019 and worked closely with head coach and director of cricket operations Anil Kumble in polishing the PBKS batters for three Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons.

Meanwhile, Jonty Rhodes is considered one of the best fielders of all time but also made more than 8000 runs for South Africa. The 52-year-old was also sitting alongside head coach Anil Kumble and co-owners at the IPL auction table last week. Rhodes made 5935 runs in 245 ODIs and 2532 runs in 52 Tests.

PBKS Keen On Having An Indian As Captain: BCCI Official

Apart from Anil Kumble and Jonty Rhodes, Punjab Kings also have Damien Wright as their fast bowling coach, while Kumble helps with the spinners. Andy Flower, who was the assistant coach last season, has taken up the head coach role at the new franchise Lucknow Super Giants.

They had retained only two players in Mayank Agarwal and Arshdeep Singh before the IPL 2022 auction.

Punjab Kings, who have never won an IPL title and last reached the final in 2014, are confident of going all the way following a “successful” auction where they bought the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Shahrukh Khan, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Odean Smith, Kagiso Rabada and India U-19 star Raj Bawa.

On the captaincy front, the PBKS will need a new leader after KL Rahul decided to move to Lucknow Super Giants, where he was named captain of the franchise. Mayank Agarwal had captained the franchise last season when Rahul was injured.

The PBKS now also have Shikhar Dhawan, who has captained Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals previously in the IPL tournament.

“The team is keen to have an Indian captain and its choice will be announced shortly,” a BCCI official said.

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