World Cup winning coach Kirsten replaces Vettori at RCB Helm

Cricket365
August 31, 2018

Gary Kirsten, the former coach of the India and South Africa teams and current batting coach for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been appointed as the team’s coach & mentor.

Kirsten joined RCB in 2018 as batting coach and brings a wealth of experience to the team having played close to 700 matches (ODI, Tests and First Class) scoring close to 40,000 runs across all formats. Kirsten took the helm with India in 2008 before leading them to the World Cup title in 2011. He has for the past 10 years coached at the highest levels with 2 years as South African cricket team head coach, Head Coach in the T20 for 3 seasons and 1 season at Hobart Hurricanes before joining RCB last season.

Kirsten replaces long time coach Daniel Vettori in the role. The former Black Cap has coached the team for eight years but has failed to deliver an IPL title despite having a squad littered with superstars.

RCB Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala said: “It has been a great eight-year journey with Daniel Vettori and we wish him the very best for all future endeavors. We are very happy to have Gary Kirsten take on the mantle of coach and mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore. During the last IPL season, Gary has proved to be a brilliant mentor to both seasoned and young RCB players and we are confident that he will bring a fresh perspective to the team.”

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Commenting on his appointmentKirsten said: “I had the privilege of coaching with the RCB team last season under head coach Daniel Vettori and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I look forward to continuing the journey with RCB and doing my best to help the franchise reach its potential. I want to thank the team management for considering me in a leadership position with the franchise and I look forward to a successful few years.”

Moving on from Royal Challengers Bangalore Vettori, the former head coach, said: “I am extremely grateful for the eight years I have spent with RCB, as a player and a coach and I wish the franchise all the best moving forward.”