IPL 7: RCB retain Kohli, Gayle, de Villiers; name Vettori as coach

New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori will replace Ray Jennings, who was coach since 2008. A look at the key men for Royal Challengers Bangalore's campaign in the seventh edition of the T20 extravaganza. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League.

In a surprising development, the franchise named New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori as head coach, Trent Woodhill the batting and fielding coach, and Allan Donald bowling coach.

Vetroi will replace Ray Jennings, who was coach since 2008, the inaugural year of the cash-rich T20 tournament.

India vice-captain Kohli captained RCB in IPL 6. No stranger to setting new records, he was the 2012 ICC ODI Player of the Year and the top-ranked ODI batsman in November 2013. He recently joined Viv Richards as the fastest batsman to reach the 5000-run mark in ODI cricket.

“I am happy and honoured to be retained by RCB. It’s great to be back to Bangalore, literally my second home now. I am looking forward to working closely with new head coach Dan Vettori. Bowling coach Allan Donald’s experience will add a lot of value. Together with my other retained mates Chris and AB and the rest of the team, I hope to fulfil the faith that RCB and the fans of Bangalore have reposed in me," said Kohli.

Playing for RCB since IPL 4 (2011), left-hand batsman Chris Gayle has enthralled cricket fans locally and around the world with his big-hitting. He set a new record for the fastest century in the history of professional cricket, scoring an incredible hundred off 30 balls in an IPL6 RCB match against Pune Warriors.

In the same match, he went on to register the highest score ever in T20s, finishing unbeaten on 175 off 66 balls.

Delighted at being retained, Gayle said: “Home again. I am happy to be retained by RCB and looking forward to the love and affection. Bangalore, here I come again and let's rock.

South Africa's ODI and former T20 captain, De Villiers said, “Honoured to be retained by RCB and extremely happy to be staying in Bangalore.

"RCB and Bangalore has a special place in my heart and I look forward to contributing to the Team’s success, come IPL.”

Vettori, who has captained both New Zealand and RCB, is one of the most economical bowlers in recent times across all formats of the game and expected to bring a stronger tactical focus to the team.

In his capacity as head coach, he will have the opportunity to inject his substantial experience as present-day-cricketer-turned-coach.

 “Having been closely associated with RCB for the last three years I’m very excited by the opportunity to work with this exceptional brand and Virat in delivering on RCB’s true potential," said Vettori.

"My first area of focus will be to work closely with management in developing team composition strategy for the IPL auction,” he added.

Allan Donald, popularly known as ‘White Lightning’, is currently bowling coach of South Africa. He coached Pune Warriors in the last edition of the IPL.

He has a wealth of experience in coaching, having worked with the England and New Zealand squads, and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

Donald said: “I have followed RCB very closely in previous editions of the IPL and believe they have the potential to go all the way. I hope my experience will guide them in getting there.”

With Donald, Vettori and Trent Woodhill, RCB will have a strong coaching platform.

Woodhill, appointed as the RCB batting and fielding coach, is credited with moulding David Warner’s career as well as emerging Australian talent, like T20 player Nick Maddinson.

He brings vast experience to his portfolio, having served as assistant coach to the New Zealand team and batting consultant to the Pakistan team. Currently, he is senior assistant coach with Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash.

Other confirmed RCB support staff appointments are: Avinash Vaidya (team & operations manager), Evan Speechly (physiotherapist), S Basu (strength and conditioning coach) and Ramesh Mane (team masseur).