IPL: Rising Pune Supergiants appoint Hrishikesh Kanitkar as assistant coach
Former India all-rounder Hrishikesh Kanitkar has been appointed the assistant coach of newly-formed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rising Pune Supergiants.
The 41-year-old, who was a regular in the Indian team from 1997 to 2000, retired from international cricket in July last year. He had played two Tests in the 1999-2000 season, apart from 34 One-Day Internationals (ODI).
One of the top five highest run-getters in Ranji Trophy
He is best remembered for his heroics in the final match of the Independence Cup against Pakistan in 1998. The gutsy left-hander hit a boundary off Saqlain Mushtaq, when India required three runs to win from two balls, in fading light to enable them post a memorable victory over the arch-rivals in Dhaka, while chasing a 300-plus target.
With 8,059 runs in 105 matches, Kanitkar is among the top five highest run-getters in Ranji Trophy. He also captained the Rajasthan team to two Ranji Trophy titles.
Kanitkar also enjoyed a successful stint in county cricket. Playing for Brentwood Cricket Club in Essex in the 2006 season, the left-hand batsman scored over 1000 runs with an average of 76.
The Rising Pune Supergiants, to be led by India's limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have already named former New Zealand starter Stephen Fleming as their head coach.
Our captain @msdhoni and team owner Sanjiv Goenka unveiling our official jersey. #Supergiants #RPS #IPL pic.twitter.com/inVvoP9Xpz
— Pune Supergiants (@RPSupergiants) February 15, 2016
Pune and Gujarat Lions are the two new teams in the IPL this year. They have replaced two-time champions Chennai Super Kings and inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals, who have been suspended for the next two years due to match-fixing and corruption.