Gary Kirsten likely to associate with the RCB franchise for IPL 2018

Kirsten had coached the Delhi Daredevils side in 2014 and 2015 editions of IPL.

Gary Kirsten | Getty

Former Proteas batsman Gary Kirsten, who has previously mentored the star-studded Indian cricket team and IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils for two seasons, might well be seen in the Royal Challengers Bangalore dugout in the next edition.

As per the reports in ESPNcricinfo, the popular T20 franchise is closing in on securing the services of World Cup winning Indian cricket coach. Despite boasting some of the world’s most dangerous T20 players like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, RCB are yet to win an IPL trophy. In fact, in the last season, the Bangalore based franchise had failed to create an impact in the cash-rich T20 league. A change in the dressing room might just be the trick which can revive the team’s fortune.

However, the news is yet to be officially confirmed by the RCB management. Reports also suggest that the current chief coach of RCB – Daniel Vettori will continue to be a part of the team management even if they manage to rope in Kirsten.

The 50-year-old Gary Kirsten was instrumental in shaping up the Indian cricket team following the chaotic exit of Greg Chappell. After officially stepping in as Indian team's chief coach in early 2008, Kirsten enjoyed a reasonably fruitful stint which eventually ended with Dhoni’s troops reaching the pinnacle in ICC Test ranking besides being the worthy winner of 2011 World Cup.

It was his visionary eyes that brought the exceptional talents like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in contention. Kirsten proceeded to take over a similar role with the South African team until August 2013. The 101 Tests veteran was also a key figure in guiding and marshalling young Proteas players such as David Miller and Quinton de Kock.

Unwilling to take on further international commitments, Kirsten the moved to the franchise based T20 cricket as he signed a three-year deal with Delhi Daredevils in 2014. However, the team's underwhelming campaigns in his first two years resulted in the management parting ways with Kirsten at the end of 2015. At the start of the year, the ex-South Africa opener signed a two-year contract with Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 20 Dec, 2017

    Share Via