Former South Africa batter and India 2011 World Cup head coach, Gary Kirsten, has been appointed as the mentor and batting coach by the Ahmedabad franchise ahead of the IPL 2022.
Ahmedabad have announced their first three picks ahead of the auction: all-rounder Hardik Pandya (INR 15 crore) will captain for the first time in the IPL, superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan(INR 15 crore) is the other pick, and young batsman Shubman Gill (INR 8 crore) is the third pick by Ahmedabad. Gary Kirsten was effusive in praise for the highly talented Shubman Gill, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders after four impressive seasons that led to him making his India debut in Tests and ODI.
Recognizing Gill’s immense talent and potential, Kirsten expected the opener to be a “match-winner” for his team in the upcoming seasons.
“Gill is a fantastic player, who, in my view, should be playing for India. He is on the verge of that and has played already. With great flair and instinct for the game, he could be a match-winner on his own,” Gary Kirsten said on Star Sports.
The South African, who has previously worked with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bangalore, is excited to work with Gill and bring out the best of the right-hander.
“From a batting perspective, I am looking forward to working with him and helping him give the best out of an IPL season. We’re playing in the best competition in the world, just to make sure that it’s something important for us as a franchise and that the players come in and realise that it is an honour to be part of this franchise and performing for this team,” he added.
Gill has scored 1417 runs in 58 matches for KKR; his average of 31 is impressive, but his strike rate, 123, had come under criticism- not least from captain Eoin Morgan and coach Brendon McCullum during last season.
Former India pacer Ashish Nehra is appointed as the head coach by Ahmedabad. The franchise has also appointed former England batter Vikram Solanki as the team director. Interestingly, all three – Kirsten, Nehra, and Solanki – have worked together at RCB previously.
