Published: Dec 07, 2015, 02:31 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 07, 2015, 02:31 PM (IST)
Gary Kirsten was sacked by Delhi Daredevils on Monday ahead of the ninth edition of Indian Premier League. The franchise sent out a media release saying, “Delhi Daredevils would like to announce that they have ended their association with Head Coach Gary Kirsten after 2 IPL season.” Delhi may also be looking for a new bowling coach. Alfonso Thomas had replaced Eric Simons but Delhi is expected to overhaul the support staff following the team’s poor showing. Simons and Kirsten had followed Greg Shipperd as the head coach of the team. He was appointed as Delhi’s head coach from 2104 IPL in a hope to improve the miserable run of the team. READ: Gary Kirsten to be sacked as Delhi Daredevil’s coach: Reports
Speaking about Kirsten and DD’s association, Hemant Dua, CEO of the GMR Sports said, ”Gary with his rich coaching experience made significant contribution towards our team culture and his work ethics were immaculate. We appreciate his contribution towards our team rebuilding process and would like to wish him the very best in all his future endeavours.”
Delhi are looking for a new face to manage the side and they might as well find that in recently retired Zaheer Khan as coach-cum-player. Zaheer, who earlier played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians and had joined Delhi Daredevils just last season, will be more or less will be playing his last-ever season in competitive cricket. READ: MS Dhoni criticism surprising, says Gary Kirsten
Since the South African’s inclusion in the management, Delhi finished last in the 2014 IPL and seventh out of eight teams in the 2015 edition. Kirsten at one point had admitted to have found managing a franchise team difficult. Daredevils had roped in West Indian great Viv Richards as batting consultant in 2013 but there was hardly any change in the status of the team.
