J Arun Kumar, Karnataka head coach, has been appointed as the batting coach of Kings XI Punjab for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arun Kumar, a former Karnataka and India A player, successfully coached Karnataka in the zonal league of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year and his side emerged as the champions of South Zone.

A veteran of 109 first-class and 100 List A matches, Arun Kumar joins Virender Sehwag in the camp, who was recently appointed as the head of Cricket Operations and Strategy of the team.

“(The discussions were on) for over a month before I got a call officially and things fell in place. I had asked him (Sehwag) last year to let me know if there was an opportunity. So, he called me up and offered this. It was very nice of him,” Arunkumar told ESPNcricinfo.

“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,” he added.

Before IPL, his next assignment will be Vijay Hazare Trophy, that will kick off from February 25 with Karnataka scheduled to play their first game against Services at Kolkata.