Anil Kumble Joins As the Director of Cricket Operations For KXIP

Former India player and coach and the highest wicket-taker for India, Anil Kumble has been appointed as the director of cricket operations of Kings XI Punjab in Indian Premier League. Punjab is one of the three teams who have not won the IPL title yet, along with Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore despite having played in the final in 2014. However, with the inclusion of Kumble, the franchise would be hoping for a good fortune.

“Kumble is our choice to coach Kings XI. The world knows about his cricketing and coaching abilities. He’s a very calm, cool and collected person. He comes with a lot of experience in the IPL, having worked with two other franchises in the past, and also with the Indian team. We’re pretty sure that under his leadership, Kings XI will do very well,” Kings XI co-owner Ness Wadia said to TOI on Thursday.

As far as the other support staff is concerned who will be with Anil Kumble, former Australia player George Bailey will be the new batting coach of the Kings XI Punjab team. Former India spinner Sunil Joshi will be the assistant coach of the team whereas former South Africa player Jonty Rhodes will take over as fielding coach and Courtney Walsh could be the bowling coach, according to the reports in The Times of India.

While talking about the speculation of Ravichandran Ashwin‘s trade of to Delhi Capitals, Ness Wadia said, “integral part of the team. We value Ashwin tremendously.”