Kolkata Knight Riders name Brendon McCullum as Head Coach
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Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders have named former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum as the head coach for the upcoming season. Earlier this week, McCullum was also named as the Head Coach of Caribbean Premier League franchise Trinbago Knight Riders.
After months and months of speculation, Kolkata Knight Riders have finally named former player and former Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum as their next head coach, after parting ways with Jacques Kallis post the conclusion of the 2018 edition of the IPL. According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, it is understood that McCullum, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last week, was initially planned to be appointed as the assistant coach, but was then announced as the head coach post his retirement.
The 37-year-old was also scheduled to take part in the now-cancelled Euro T20 Slam, but it is also understood that after announcing his retirement out of the blue, the former Kiwi skipper instead set his sights on coaching, with CPL franchise Trinbago Knight Riders keen on having him for the forthcoming edition of the tournament.
"It's a great honour to take on this responsibility. The Knight Rider franchises in IPL & CPL have become iconic and have set the standard in franchise cricket," McCullum was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"We have fantastic squads in both KKR & TKR and I along with the support staff will be looking to build on the successes both franchises have enjoyed," he added.
The former Kiwi skipper enjoyed two different stints with the Kolkata-based franchise first in 2008 and then in 2012. He famously smacked a swashbuckling 158* against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first ever match of the IPL in 2008, which was the then highest score in T20 Cricket.
