Kallis appointed KKR head coach
Retired South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has replaced Trevor Bayliss as head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, a statement from the Indian Premier League franchise said. Bayliss was recently appointed as England coach after spending four seasons as head coach of KKR.
Kallis has been associated with KKR as player since 2011 and became the team’s batting consultant and mentor last year. The South African great played a key role in KKR winning IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, apart from their 2014 Champions League Twenty20 runners-up finish.
“KKR is my family in India and the association since 2011 has been one of the most enjoyable experiences for me,” Kallis said in the statement. “I look forward to the new challenge.”
KKR chief executive officer and managing director Venky Mysore said Kallis agreeing to become head coach was a huge positive for the team. “The respect and regard he commands in the dressing room as well as his fondness for the franchise made him our ideal choice,” Mysore said.