Kings XI Punjab appoints Brad Hodge as head coach
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Kings XI Punjab have appointed former Australian cricketer Brad Hodge, who will now report to the franchise’s Director of Cricket, Virender Sehwag, as their head coach for the next season. The 42-year-old has been a sought-after coach in IPL after he guided Gujarat Lions to the top spot in 2016.
Hodge has been a popular figure in T20 cricket for years now. He is just one of the eight players to garner over 7000 runs in the format and still remains an active player in franchise cricket. In the upcoming season of the Big Bash League, Hodge will be seen donning Melbourne Renegades’ jersey.
Kings XI have been one of the only three franchises in the IPL apart from Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, who have never won the IPL. Though the side made it to the finals of
Bangar decided to step down in 2016 and Sehwag took over the side in a coaching-cum-mentoring role for 2017. Hodge will be given the job of bringing in a winning mentality to the side after he did it with the now-defunct Gujarat Lions franchise two years back.Â
They had hired him as their coach in the first season where he guided the then brand new side to the top spot in the league phase of the tournament. In the second season in 2017, injuries hindered Lions' season as they finished second last, managing just four wins throughout the league phase.
