IPL 2022 Coaching rejig: 5 coaching changes ahead of mega auction in January – The IPL 2022 auction sees teams hit the reset button after the end of yet another cycle of the competition. Franchises will now have to overhaul their squad and welcome more competition with two new teams Ahmedabad and Lucknow coming into the fray. And while the squads will see massive changes, some franchises are also overseeing a change in their backroom personnel as they begin the rebuilding process. Follow Insidesport.in for all IPL 2022 Auction updates.
IPL 2022 Coaching rejig: 5 coaching changes ahead of mega auction in January
1. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Trevor Bayliss, VVS Laxman depart
Sunrisers Hyderabad had a season to forget as they finished at the bottom of the standings. Come 2022, the 2016 IPL champions are looking towards a major rejig in the playing squad as well as the backroom staff. Trevor Bayliss, who served as the head coach of the franchise, is all set to depart from his role. Along with England’s World Cup-winning coach, long-time mentor VVS Laxman has also quit the team after agreeing to take on the role of NCA head. Bayliss’ exit has not been confirmed yet but expect the Sunrisers to look for a replacement before the auction in January.
IPL 2022 Coaching rejig: 5 coaching changes ahead of mega auction in January
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Sanjay Bangar replaces Simon Katich
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had appointed Simon Katich as their head coach last season but the former Australian opener did not resume his duties in the second phase, with the director of cricket Mike Hesson chipping in. Now into the season, RCB were quick to appoint a successor, signing Sanjay Bangar. Bangar has in fact got in the job already and was seen practising with former RCB captain Virat Kohli before the Test series between India and New Zealand.
3. Punjab Kings – Andy Flower steps down as assistant coach
Assistant coach Andy Flower has parted ways with Punjab Kings and is expected to land a role in one of the new teams ahead of IPL 2022. Former Zimbabwe captain Flower, who worked as a coach in England for more than a decade and guided the national team there, was hired for his maiden IPL stint ahead of the 2020 season. He served as assistant to Anil Kumble but could bag a leading role with one of the new teams, with both Lucknow and Ahmedabad yet to announce their coaches.
4. Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad franchise have been linked with former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri in the past, with the former Indian all-rounder also expressing his interest in coaching an IPL team. Should Shastri be brought in, he would be accompanied by Bharat Arun, who served as the bowling coach of the Indian team during his tenure. Bayliss remains an option for the franchise, but England’s 2019 World Cup coach will also be on the radar of Lucknow.
IPL 2022 Coaching rejig: 5 coaching changes ahead of mega auction in January
5. Lucknow
The Lucknow franchise have been linked with moves for Trevor Bayliss and Andy Flower, both who have led England to World Cup wins. Andy Flower is more likely possibility having worked with KL Rahul at Punjab Kings, and the new franchise have reportedly made a giant offer to the Indian T20I team’s vice-captain. While Bayliss and Rashid Khan, another potential Lucknow pick, have worked together at Sunirsers, Rahul is likely to be handed the leadership role making Flower the favourite to pip the ex-SRH head coach.
