After head coach Mike Hesson, Kings XI Punjab’s batting coach Craig McMillan, bowling coach Ryan Harris and assistant coach Sridharan Sriram have all parted ways with the franchise, a report in Mumbai Mirror suggests. All the coaches, including Hesson, had joined Kings XI Punjab before IPL 2019.
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The franchise had made wholesome changes to its coaching staff but the results of were no different. The R Ashwin-led side finished on the sixth spot with six wins and eight losses this year. In 2018 as well, the team failed to qualify for the second round despite having a brilliant start.
First, the franchise parted ways with head coach Brad Hodge and then with mentor Virender Sehwag. Venkatesh Prasad also left as team’s bowling coach post. The new staff headed by Hesson was expected to bring about a change in the team’s fortune but that didn’t happen.
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Sriram is with the Australian cricket team and is in England for Ashes 2019. Harris and McMillan will surely look for coaching stints soon. The latter had left the job as New Zealand’s batting coach after World Cup 2019.
As ar as Hesson is concerned, he is running for the post of head coach of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The chances of him replacing Ravi Shastri at India are minimal. He is a strong contender to take over as Bangladesh’s or Pakistan’s head coach role soon. Hesson successfully coached New Zealand from 2012 to 218, also leading the team to the final of World Cup 2015.
For Kings XI Punjab, hunt to look for new coaches will start soon. For now, no name has been reported to take over the vacant positions but an announcement regarding it is expected to be made sooner than later.
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Other than KXIP, Kolkata Knight Riders are also looking for a new head coach and assistant coach after they parted ways with Jacques Kallis and Simon Katich. A report in ESPNcricinfo suggests that Brendon McCullum will take over as KKR’s assistant coach and no call regarding the head coach has been made as of yet. Sunrisers Hyderabad have already roped in Trevor Bayliss, who replaced Tom Moody at the helm.