IPL 2016: How Brad Hodge bagged coaching job with Gujarat Lions

IPL 2016: How Brad Hodge bagged coaching job with Gujarat Lions

Brad Hodge bagged the first ever full-time coaching role of his career with the new team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Gujarat Lions, on Tuesday. Hodge pipped none other than the former Indian coach Gary Kirsten, who was available after he left his position as the head coach of the Delhi Daredevils. Hodge, who was the first batsman ever to score 5,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket, recently proved his credentials for the job when he as an assistant coach and player of the Adelaide Strikers took his side to the semi-final of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16 tournament. ALSO READ: Brad Hodge appointed Gujarat Lions’ coach

But how did Hodge trump Kirsten and bagged the key job in one of the most followed T20 leagues around the world? It was simple. Hodge contacted the owner of the IPL team Keshav Bansal, and made a strong impression early on. ALSO READ – ICC World T20 2016: India favourites, will be tough to beat, says Brad Hodge

The Indian Express quoted Bansal as saying, “He called me one day and I was impressed. I asked him to meet my uncle in Australia, and after that he made a PowerPoint presentation. There were other big names too, but decided to pick him after discussing it with the players in the team.”

Hodge has ample amount of experience in the IPL as he has played for Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the past. Hodge will be partnering Suresh Raina in the leadership group in the Gujarat Lions team, which will be in the IPL tournament for the 2016 and 2017 editions.