Courtney Walsh joins Anil Kumble at Kings XI Punjab as legends unite

Indian Premier League side Kings XI Punjab have brought West Indies great Courtney Walsh on board as a talent scout, pretty much like long-time association former India coach John Wright has with Mumbai Indians.  Former India skipper Anil Kumble has been appointed as head coach of Kings XI Punjab for upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL). Former India spinner Sunil Joshi and Kumble's longtime national and state teammate will be assistant coach of Punjab franchise. South African great Jonty Rhodes is set to be team's fielding coach and former Australian captain George Bailey will coach batsmen.    Spin legend Anil Kumble has been put in charge of "all cricket-related affairs" of team and will be making a presentation to team manment regarding his plans on October 19.

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Anil Kumble to take a call on Ashwin's future with side 

It has also been learned that Kumble will also take a call on Ravichandran Ashwin's future with team on same day. Ashwin, who captained side in past two seasons, is expected to be traded to Delhi Capitals ahead of next season. "Anil Kumble will decide who all players will stay and who all will be released. Walsh will be scouting talent for team in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy before IPL and will also work with our pacers," a KXIP source told PTI.   Kumble, who had a brief stint with Indian men's team as head coach between 2016 and 2017, is currently only Indian coach in IPL. For 48-year-old, KXIP will be third IPL team that he will be involved with, having featured as a player and later captain with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008.

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Anil Kumble's journey as coach

He had also joined Mumbai Indians in 2013 as a mentor before quitting in 2015. He n joined Indian team as chief coach but it ended acrimoniously in 2017 after his relationship with skipper Virat Kohli became "untenable". Kumble is fifth coach to join Punjab franchise in last five editions. He will also have high-profile support staff to work with. Walsh and Joshi were involved with Bangladesh team till World Cup while Bailey has captained KXIP. Earlier, Sanjay Bangar (2014-2016), Virender Sehwag (2017), Brad Hodge (2018) and Mike Hesson (2019) had served as head coach of team, which finished at bottom in 2015 and 2016 before signing off in fifth, seventh and sixth place in last three seasons. KXIP had reached semifinals in 2008 and finished second-best after losing in final to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 edition. With Kumble in ir dugout, y will be hoping to win ir maiden title in 2020. 

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