Newly- appointed Surrey head coach and former England off-spinner Vikram Solanki was glad of working with India captain Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He worked as an assistant coach with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Kohli in the last IPL season.
The Indian-born English cricketer, who played 51 ODIs and 3 T20Is for England between 2000-2007, has recently succeeded Australia's Michael Di Venuto at Surrey after finishing his playing career with the London-based club. He will take the charge next week when Surrey resumes training.
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Having worked with the world-class batsman Kohli under South African great Gary Kirsten at the RCB in the IPL, Solanki said his that experience helped him understand how superstars react to pressure situation in the game as he gears up for the new top role.
He further pointed out his experience of working with Kohli had given him an insight into the mindset of cricket’s “superstars” that will help in his new role with the English county side Surrey.
Solanki said: “Just to see how people react to pressure situations, the likes of Virat... gave me an insight into the superstars of the game.”
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He is set to become the first British Asian head coach at one of England’s 18 first-class counties and the former England cricketer is surprised that it has taken so long.
Solanki signed off by saying, “I couldn’t possibly answer that. I’ve not been party to any of the decisions that appoint coaches. I couldn’t tell you. But at Surrey, with the numerous programmes to encourage the involvement of people from different backgrounds, I consider it as something that’s ongoing. If this [his appointment] accelerates all those matters, then great.”
(With AFP Inputs)
