Rajasthan Royals (RR), one of the franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has appointed former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond as their new fast bowling and assistant coach. The announcement was made on October 23, marking the return of Bond to the IPL after his stint with the Mumbai Indians.
Shane Bond brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the bowling coach of the New Zealand national team from 2012 to 2015. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in helping the Kiwis reach the final of the 2015 World Cup. Following his time with the national team, Bond joined the Mumbai Indians in 2015 and remained with the franchise until the last season in 2023. In his role as the bowling coach, he played a significant part in grooming players like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Bond’s appointment comes after Lasith Malinga, the previous bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals, left the role after spending two seasons with the franchise. Upon his appointment, Bond expressed his gratitude to the Royals franchise for the opportunity. He stated, “I’m delighted to be joining the Royals. It’s a forward-thinking franchise who are determined to do well and I’m excited about being part of their vision. The bowling group is a great mix of youth and experience, and it will be awesome to work alongside them.”
In addition to his IPL experience, Bond has also worked with other T20 leagues around the world. He served as the assistant coach for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League in 2015 and as the head coach for the Sydney Thunder in 2018. This wide range of experience will undoubtedly benefit the Rajasthan Royals.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Shane Bond had an impressive career as a player before transitioning into coaching. He represented the BlackCaps in 18 Tests and 82 ODIs, picking up 234 wickets. His expertise as a fast bowler and his ability to mentor young talents will be invaluable to the Rajasthan Royals.
Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket at the Rajasthan Royals, welcomed Shane Bond to the franchise with high praises. Sangakkara described Bond as one of the greatest fast bowlers of modern-day cricket and acknowledged his wealth of experience and knowledge. Sangakkara stated, “He has served in the IPL and in India for a number of years and is well-versed with the processes involved within the franchise ecosystem. He is someone who has a keen eye for helping the best become even better, and we are delighted to welcome him to the franchise and look forward to seeing the impact he can make towards molding us into a title-winning team.”
As the new fast bowling and assistant coach, Bond will work with a talented group of bowlers at the Rajasthan Royals. This includes players like Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Sen, KM Asif, Kuldip Yadav, and Sandeep Sharma, among others. The team will be aiming to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the IPL 2023, where they failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Despite finishing fifth with seven wins in 14 matches, the Royals will be looking to make a stronger impact in the upcoming seasons, and Bond’s expertise will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.
In conclusion, the appointment of Shane Bond as the new fast bowling and assistant coach of the Rajasthan Royals is a significant move for the franchise. Bond’s extensive experience and expertise as a fast bowler and coach make him an excellent addition to the team. With his guidance, the Rajasthan Royals will be aiming to improve their performance in the upcoming IPL seasons and compete for the title.
