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Two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Shane Watson is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as assistant coach for the next season. The former Australian all-rounder who won the inaugural IPL with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and a decade later with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will join head coach Abhishek Nayar.
"I am eager to work closely with the coaching group and players to help bring another title to Kolkata," Watson said in a press release.
"We are thrilled to welcome Shane Watson to the KKR family. His experience as a player and coach at the highest level will add immense value to our team culture and preparation. His understanding of the T20 format is world-class, and we look forward to his contribution both on and off the field,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore said in an official statement on November 13.
Before KKR, Watson was an assistant coach to his former captain Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals. He served three years in the coaching staff for Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise San Francisco Unicorns as well.
Watson’s stellar IPL career
Watson made his IPL debut for RR in the inaugural edition and played a crucial role in their title win. He was released by RR after the 2015 edition. He joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) but did not have much success for two season. In IPL 2018, he joined CSK and help them win the title. He scored a century in the final against Sunrises Hyderabad (SRH). In IPL 2019, he had a stellar knock in the losing cause against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the final. He made his last IPL appearance for CSK in the 2020 season.
Watson has played 145 IPL games and scored 3,874 runs at an average of 30.99 and strike rate of 137.91. He has four centuries and 21 fifties to his name. With the ball, he has 92 wickets at an average of 29.15, including a four-fer.
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