IPL: After Gary Kirsten, Ashish Nehra joins RCB’s coaching unit

Failing to taste success during its 11-year stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have opted for a complete overhauling to renew its stance for the 2019 edition. After choosing former South African batsman Gary Kirsten as their head coach, RCB now have roped in former Indian speedster Ashish Nehra into their coaching team. Nehra, who played till IPL 2017, joined the franchise as a bowling mentor ahead of the 2018 season and now he has taken over a coaching duty.

The 39-year-old former left-arm seamer last played for India in November last year – in a T20I against New Zealand. He has taken 235 international wickets in all the three formats during a career spanning 18 years. In the IPL, Nehra is the 10th most successful bowler, taking 105 wickets in 88 games at an average of 23.42.

“We are very happy to have Ashish Nehra join RCB as part of the coaching leadership team. Ashish and Gary will partner the Captain to help the team deliver better performance,” Timesnownews.com quoted Sanjeev Churiwala, RCB chairman, as saying on Nehra’s appointment.

Nehra thanks RCB for considering him

The former cricketer was also looking forward to his new role. “I had the privilege to join the coaching team of RCB last season and feel very passionately about the team. I want to thank the team management for considering me in a leadership position with the franchise and look forward for the successful seasons ahead,” Nehra was quoted saying.

RCB recently replaced long-time coach Daniel Vettori, who also played for the franchise in the past, with 50-year-old Kirsten. The South African joined RCB as a batting coach ahead of the 2018 season, along with Nehra. Some other staff members were also removed and the franchise is expected to fill those posts with new faces in the coming days in a quest to change its fortunes in the annual summer tournament.

RCB are one of the two original franchises in the IPL who have not even one title since it began in 2008, the other being Delhi Daredevils. They have made the finals thrice (2009, 2011 and 2016) but could not cross the last hurdle on any of those occasions. Former coach Vettori was their captain when they lost the 2011 final while current India captain Virat Kohli was in the lead when they made their last final in 2016.

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