Simon Katich steps down as RCB head coach

The Australian steps down before the resumption of the IPL in the UAE in September.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore announced on Saturday that their head coach Simon Katich has stepped down from his position due to personal reasons. Katich steps down ahead of the resumption of the Indian Premier League 2021 from September 19 in the UAE.

The Bangalore outfit announced in a statement that their Director of Cricket Mike Hesson will take over the position for the remainder of the season along with continuing his existing duties. RCB vice-president Rajesh Menon said in a statement, “Simon Katich, the head coach of the RCB, has decided to step down. It’s mainly due to personal reasons. We, as management, completely support his decision and back him on this.

“We would like to thank Simon Katich for his work during his time at RCB and wish him all success in the future.

“In RCB, we always have a business continuity plan, and as per the business continuity plan, Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties of head coach until the end of this tournament. We all know: Mike Hesson has been coaching the New Zealand cricket team and other cricket teams for the last 15-20 years. So Mike will be stepping into this position till the end of this tournament, and he will also be holding the existing role of Director of Cricket Operations.”

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Katich, who was appointed as Bangalore‘s head coach in August 2019, has been instrumental in turning the tide around for the struggling side. Katich helped RCB finish fourth in the 2020 edition and under him, the team currently sit in the third spot at the end of the Indian leg.

Prior to joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore as their head coach, the Australian also worked as an assistant coach with the Kolkata Knight Riders, from 2015 to 2019.

Meanwhile, speaking about his dual responsibilities, the Kiwi, Mike Hesson, stated, “I’m very fortunate that we have a very experienced coaching group. My role will be working with those guys and the work has already started.

“Obviously, there’s a slight change in role. The playing days and training days are a little more hands-on. And I’m looking forward to that. But I’m looking forward to everybody in the coaching group making their contribution and us working together. I know the support staff really well, and I’m excited to get stuck into it. There will be challenges, but that’s exciting.”

After failing to get the silverware for 13 seasons, RCB finally seem to have gotten their combinations right as they sit pretty after the first half of the tournament. With the second leg in the UAE scheduled to start from the 19th of September, the Bangalore-based team have already been adding reinforcement to their side. They announced the signings of Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera and Singapore’s Tim David on Saturday. With Scott Kuggeleijn, Finn Allen, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams and Adam Zampa having withdrawn from the UAE leg, RCB will hope their new recruits step up to the task right away.