IPL: Sehwag springs into action; KXIP support staff to get an all Indian look

J Arun Kumar and Mithun Manhas tipped to become the new support staff for Kings XI Punjab as Sehwag insists on only Indian coaches

New Delhi: Virender Sehwag doesn’t take too long to settle down, whether he’s at the crease or in the boardroom. And owner Priety Zinta is already smiling at the results. A day after being appointed as Head of Cricketing Operations and Strategy for Kings XI Punjab, the former Indian opener has his strategies ready for the forthcoming IPL season.

According to sources, Karnataka coach J Arun Kumar is tipped to be the new coach for Priety Zinta’s Kings XI Punjab team. J Arun Kumar will replace Team India assistant coach Sanjay Bangar, who resigned recently. Manhas , former Delhi skipper and presently player-coach of Jammu & Kashmir team, is likely to be appointed as the assistant coach for the 2017 season.  

J Arun Kumar has coached Karnataka to a slew of titles in the domestic circuit, including the historic treble --- Ranji, one-day and T20 championship in one season --- twice consecutively apart from winning the Irani Cup titles, and moulded Karnataka into one of the most formidable domestic outfits in recent times. Arun Kumar was also a part of RCB squad in the initial years while Manhas has played for CSK, Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils and has more than 9000 runs in first-class cricket.

When contacted J Arun Kumar did admit that talks are on but added that nothing has been finalized yet. “Yes, me and Viru are talking and it will be a great opportunity for me to be associated with KXIP but there’s nothing more to this at the moment. I was told that the franchise will get back and that’s where it is at the moment. I do hope to get a contract with them but nothing is finalized right now,” he says.

However, sources in the KXIP set-up confirmed that the support-staff is finalized and only the contract details are in making. According to sources, Sehwag was firm that the coaching staff had to be completely Indian and backed Manhas, who has no previous coaching experience, to do the duty. Interestingly, Bangar also had no previous coaching experience when he was roped into KXIP three years back but held his own, leading the franchise to IPL final and then becoming the batting coach of Team India.

Written by GS Vivek, Associate Editor (Sports), ABP News