KKR’s new assistant coach eyes breaking new boundaries
Having transformed themselves from a team that was wooden spoon contenders to favourites, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is currently one of the most consistent and bankable teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
KKR had gone four seasons without much to write about. They had finished sixth in 2008, last in 2009 and sixth again in 2010. In 2011, they fared better, but it was still not what the team and the management was built for. For 2012, they brought down the axe. The team underwent big changes that year, and it appointed a new coach in Trevor Bayliss. It also brought in some impressive reinforcements. The Bayliss-Gautam Gambhir combination worked like a charm. That year, KKR were IPL champions. Two years later, they were at the summit yet again.
The year 2016 will be a year of change for the Knight Riders. Trevor Bayliss has left the KKR hot seat to take up a similar role in cold, rainy England. In his place, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise appointed a coaching novice – Jacques Kallis. To support Kallis, KKR appointed another novice. A spunky left-hander from Western Australia who had made his name batting at the top of the order for Australia in more than 50 Tests – Simon Katich.
“Fantastic opportunity,” Katich exclaims, even before we could finish the question about IPL. “I’m looking forward to working under Jacq [Jacques Kallis]. I haven’t had any coaching experience as such. But I think having played the game, understanding it from a players point of view and also having captained teams, hopefully all that will hold me in good stead.”
In October last year, Simon Katich was named assistant coach of KKR. The announcement came only a few days after the franchise had named its former player, Kallis, as its head coach. Katich had retired from the game only in 2014, and to be named assistant coach of a world-class franchise soon after reflects the kind of promise he commands.
“They got in touch after Trevor Bayliss got the England role,” he says. “They needed to fill that role and there were obviously a few people they looked at. I was fortunate a few people put in good words for me. As a result, I got the opportunity as assistant. It’s a great opportunity.
“It’s a competition I’ve kept a close eye on. Obviously, in recent times there are a number of players recently out of the game who’re getting that opportunity. Ricky Ponting at Mumbai [Indians], Dan Vettori at [Royal Challengers] Bangalore. And obviously Jacques as well, who’s still playing, but is now head coach of Kolkata. That seems a little bit of a trend, so that probably helps,” he says.
SOURCE: PTI