With 11 editions of the Indian Premier League have already taken place, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are yet to taste any success despite reaching the finals thrice. Now, it seems they are desperate to win the trophy once with current India skipper Virat Kohli as the leader of the pack.
To start the preparation for the 12th edition to be played in 2019, RCB have axed their entire support staff barring last year’s bowling mentor Ashish Nehra. The most significant was former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori’s axe. Vettori has been the coach of the franchise for seven long years since 2011. Batting and fielding coach Trent Woddhill has also been shown the door.
According to sources, India’s World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten is likely to take up coach’s job while Team India batting consultant Sanjay Bangar is in the list to join the RCB. While Bangar is unlikely to take up the job owing to his India duty, Kirsten is high on the priority list. The South African opener had a successful stint with Team India when India won the World Cup in 2011 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy.
It is learnt that all the decisions have been taken after consultation with skipper Kohli who is currently leading the Team India against England in the five-match Test series. India trail 2-1 in the series with two more Test still to be played.
Not only RCB, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals too are mulling wholesale changes in their side in build-up to the next edition. But sources confirmed that Ricky Ponting is almost certain to mentor the Delhi side at least for the next season as he was handed a two-year contract last year.