Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is likely to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders in the third edition of the Indian Premier League.
Ganguly led in the inaugural tournament in 2008, but was controversially replaced in 2009 by Brendon McCullum - a decision that the then coach John Buchanan made.
Ganguly met franchise owner Shahrukh Khan in England when he was there to watch the ICC World Twenty20 Championship, and they discussed the captaincy as well as the appointment of a new coach for the team for the next season of the twenty20 tournament.
According to sources, the KKR management would like to announce the decision later, sometime in the middle of August once the new coach is appointed.
Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said that there could be a major reshuffle with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan as the Knight Riders coach, while former Australian middle-order batsman Michael Bevan will be on the coaching panel.
"Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-hander was in London last week. They have agreed in priniciple that Ganguly will lead the side," the source said.
"There were also discussions about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."
Ganguly, meanwhile, said that nothing is final as yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.
"I don't take the decisions of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But hopefully in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.
The Knight Riders management was also tight-lipped about the development.
When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI: "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."
Asked whether he was aware of this development, he said, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know."
The decision has likely come about because the two other best suited candidates for captaincy - Brendon McCullum and Ricky Ponting - will both be on national duty, since New Zealand and Australia are slated to play each other during the IPL.
Source: cricbuzz
Ganguly led in the inaugural tournament in 2008, but was controversially replaced in 2009 by Brendon McCullum - a decision that the then coach John Buchanan made.
Ganguly met franchise owner Shahrukh Khan in England when he was there to watch the ICC World Twenty20 Championship, and they discussed the captaincy as well as the appointment of a new coach for the team for the next season of the twenty20 tournament.
According to sources, the KKR management would like to announce the decision later, sometime in the middle of August once the new coach is appointed.
Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said that there could be a major reshuffle with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan as the Knight Riders coach, while former Australian middle-order batsman Michael Bevan will be on the coaching panel.
"Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-hander was in London last week. They have agreed in priniciple that Ganguly will lead the side," the source said.
"There were also discussions about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."
Ganguly, meanwhile, said that nothing is final as yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.
"I don't take the decisions of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But hopefully in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.
The Knight Riders management was also tight-lipped about the development.
When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya told PTI: "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."
Asked whether he was aware of this development, he said, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know."
The decision has likely come about because the two other best suited candidates for captaincy - Brendon McCullum and Ricky Ponting - will both be on national duty, since New Zealand and Australia are slated to play each other during the IPL.
Source: cricbuzz
Comments
Post a Comment