Andy Flower and Trevor Bayliss, the coaches of Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively, have resigned from their positions ahead of the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Andy Flower leaves Punjab Kings
Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, had joined Punjab for his debut stint in the IPL ahead of the 2020 season. He was working as a head coach along with team director Anil Kumble.
“It is correct, Andy has left Punjab Kings. He wanted to explore other opportunities and we respect that,” Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (November 30). Wadia, however, said the Zimbabwean will continue to be the head coach of their Caribbean Premier League team, St Lucia Zouks.
Flower was the assistant coach under Anil Kumble. Wadia also confirmed that the former India skipper will continue to be the head of Punjab Kings’ coaching staff.
Trevor Bayliss Leaves SRH
The Sunrishers Hyderabad management has also confirmed that they are looking for a new coach as Bayliss has decided moved on. Bayliss, one of the most successful coaches, having guided England to the Ashes and World Cup victories, was tipped to become the national coach of Australia.
“He has moved on and we’ll announce the new coach soon,” an SRH official said. Bayliss took over the Hyderabad team immediately after the 2019 World Cup. But he had moderate success with the Surnrisers – having finished third once (in 2020). In 2021, the team finished at the bottom.
It is learnt that he is still in Cricket Australia’s radar but the 58-year old is believed to be in talks with a few other IPL teams. He had previously led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles – in 2012 and 2014 – before accepting an offer from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Sources have indicated that apart from Gary Kirsten, a former India coach, the Lucknow team has also got in touch with Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand skipper who had also briefly coached an IPL side – Royal Challengers Bangalore. One of the four is likely to take over the new team.
