Kings XI Punjab appoint Jagdeesh Arunkumar as the batting coach for IPL 2017

In another move to revamp the unit completely after finishing at the bottom of the table for two consecutive seasons Kings XI Punjab today named Karnataka coach Jagdeesh Arunkumar as the batting coach of the team for IPL 2017. Earlier this year the franchise elevated former player Virender Sehwag to the head of cricket operations and strategy after Sanjay Bangar quit from the position.

The right-handed batsman represented Karnataka in 109 first-class matches scoring 7208 runs. The team achieved new highs under his coaching as they won all the domestic tournaments Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Irani Cup for two consecutive seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

2015-16 wasn’t the best for the team, they came back well this year but lost the Ranji Trophy semi-final spot to Tamil Nadu. The Vinay Kumar led team very recently finished at the top of the table in South Zone of the Zonal T20 League.

This will be Arunkumar’s first stint with an IPL team; the 42-year-old has a rich domestic experience. He has been in touch with Sehwag for over a month leading to the appointment. “(The discussions were going on) for over a month before I got a call officially and things fell in place,” Arunkumar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “I had asked him last year to let me know if there was an opportunity (to do coaching). So, he called me up and offered this. It was very nice of him.”

He is looking forward to joining the team and getting along with other coaches of the team that includes Team India fielding coach Bharat Arun. “We all look for growth and I am looking forward to interact with a lot of other coaches,” he said.

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The IPL auction is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on 20th February and the team management will be here Arunkumar will be meeting and interacting with them at the auction to determine the road ahead.

“It is a good learning curve for me. It is always good to interact with different heads and talk to the players. Sehwag and the franchise team are coming on the 19th for the IPL auctions; we will meet then and discuss the way forward. It is a whole new experience. It will take my coaching to a different level. I am looking forward to it.”