Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiants are likely to hire former Team India bowling coach Eric Simons as their bowling coach for IPL IX. The news comes just days after the newbies appointed Hrishikesh Kanitkar as their assistant coach.
A source close to the team said that talks are at an advanced stage with Simons, who has previously worked with the Delhi Daredevils in several roles including Head Coach.
Simons has international experience in the form of his stint with Team India for two years between 2010-12, and the former South African all-rounder is expected to bring a lot to the table at Pune, who have appointed Stephen Fleming as their Head Coach.
The franchise has reunited one of IPL’s greatest off-the-field partnerships in the form of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Coach Stephen Fleming, a pair who have enjoyed tremendous success with the now-suspended Chennai Super Kings.
“Life becomes slightly easy with him (Fleming) around. We know each other for a long time,” Dhoni had said on Monday at a Rising Pune Supergiants promotional event.
The Indian limited overs captain spoke in glowing terms about his Pune Head Coach and said that he hopes that the combination works for Pune: “He is a fantastic coach. His management skills are very good. What I really like is that he is calm like me. It is good to have him and hopefully it will work for us.”