IPL: Hodge to coach Kings XI Punjab for 3 years

New Delhi Dec 13 (IANS) Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday signed former Australia batsman Brad Hodge as head coach on a three-year contract.

According to a report by espncricinfo Hodge who held a similar role with Gujarat Lions for the last two seasons will report to Virender Sehwag the franchise s mentor-cum director of cricket.

The head coach s job was informally held by Sehwag after Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar resigned in December 2016.

The 42-year-old Hodge continues to feature as an active player and will be playing for Melbourne Renegades in the 2017-18 Big Bash League (BBL) before joining the Punjab franchise as the head coach.

"We have signed a three-year agreement with Brad who will be our head coach " Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia was quoted as saying.

"Viru (Sehwag) will be actively involved too as our director of cricket."

THe Kings XI Punjab had a mixed 2017 season where they were in the reckoning for the play-offs until they lost to Rising Pune Supergiant the runners-up in their final league match.

--IANS
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