Former India head coach and captain Anil Kumble has been finalized by Kings XI Punjab as the head coach of the franchise for the upcoming IPL 2020 season. He has been named the director of cricket operations as well.

"Kumble is our choice to coach Kings XI. The world knows about his cricketing and coaching abilities. He's a very calm, cool and collected person. He comes with a lot of experience in the IPL, having worked with two other franchises in the past, and also with the Indian team. We're pretty sure that under his leadership, Kings XI will do very well," Kings XI co-owner Ness Wadia said.

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Kumble is the fifth coach of the franchise in five years and he will take over from Kiwi Mike Hesson. Meanwhile, former KXIP captain George Bailey, who took the franchise to it's one and the only final in 2014, has been named as the batting coach. Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi will be the assistant coach of the team.

Also rumored is that South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes might be named the fielding coach, while West Indies fast bowling great Courtney Walsh might join as the bowling coach-cum-talent scout of the team.

Kumble would make a presentation to the team management on his plans for the road ahead on October 19. On the same day, an update on R Ashwin's future with the team is also expected. Kumble's first assignment will be leading Kings XI at the next IPL auction in Kolkata on December 19.

For Kumble, this is the third team he will be associated with as a coach-cum-official. He was a player and then mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore and moved on to become the mentor of Mumbai Indians. He was also the head coach of the Indian team from 2016-2017. He stepped down from after the 2017 Champions Trophy, calling his relationship with captain Virat Kohli "untenable".

(ESPNCricinfo/TOI inputs)