Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a big signing before the start of the mega-auction for the upcoming 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The two-time champions have roped in former India bowling coach Bharat Arun taking over the role from Kyle Mills. Notably, Arun, who represented Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and played 2 Tests and 4 ODIs for India, worked with Team India for over six years as part of Ravi Shastri-headed coaching staff.
Before guiding the senior men’s team bowlers, Arun had also worked as a bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and coached the Under-19 side to a World Cup triumph in 2012 in Australia.
The official Twitter handle of Knight Riders revealed the development and wrote: “We are delighted to introduce you to our new bowling coach! Welcome to the Knight Riders family, Bharat Arun.”
🚨 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 🚨
We are delighted to introduce you to our new bowling coach! Welcome to the Knight Riders family, Bharat Arun 💜💛#KKR #AmiKKR #IPL2022 #BharatArun pic.twitter.com/MpAXJMa67C
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 14, 2022
After officially joining the KKR, Arun expressed his happiness, stating he had always admired the Kolkata-based franchise for being one of the most successful sides.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to becoming part of a highly successful franchise, such as the Knight Riders. I have admired the Knight Riders franchise for not only being very successful in the IPL & around the world in T20 leagues but also for the way it is very professionally run,” said Arun on his appointment as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Notably, Arun has worked earlier in the cash-rich league as well. He worked with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2015 to 2017.
KKR head coach Brendon McCullum also welcomed the move and said he would look forward to work with Arun. McCullum reckoned Arun’s experience at the international level will come in handy for KKR bowlers.
“A warm welcome to B Arun to the KKR coaching staff. With a strong and successful pedigree in the international game, I’m sure Arun will complement the current staff we have, and I look forward to working with him. His experience at the international level and the ability to give confidence and clarity to our bowling group will be important, as we attempt to quickly align a new group of players to the values and style of play for KKR,” said McCullum.
