Shane Watson has won the IPL title twiceImage Credit source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Before the retention and auction of IPL 2026, there are continuous news coming regarding Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Mainly these news are happening regarding the surprising trade deal of Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja. But apart from these, other franchises are also busy strengthening themselves before the next season. Keeping this in mind, Kolkata Knight Riders have taken a big step. Three-time champion KKR, continuing the process of revamping its coaching staff, has appointed famous Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as its new assistant coach.
Kolkata, which will win the IPL title in 2024, announced the appointment of Watson as assistant coach on Thursday 13 November. Welcoming Watson to KKR, franchise CEO Venky Mysore said that the Australian legend’s knowledge of T20 cricket as a player and coach will be very useful for Kolkata. While Watson expressed his enthusiasm about working with the coaching staff of KKR, he roared for the franchise to win its fourth title.
Shane Watson, one of the best foreign players in IPL history, has consistently performed well during his career. He played a big role in making Rajasthan Royals champion in the very first season and was adjudged Player of the Tournament. Even in 2015, one of the best innings of his IPL career was played against Kolkata, when he scored a quick 104 runs. He was a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017, while in 2018 he joined Chennai Super Kings and made the team champion by scoring 555 runs in the very first season with this team. Overall, Watson scored 3874 runs in 145 IPL matches, while also taking 92 wickets.
Watson is the second important name to join the coaching staff of Kolkata. Just a few days ago, KKR had appointed Abhishek Nair as its new head coach. Nair was appointed to this post in place of Chandrakant Pandit, who resigned after the last season. Earlier, Nair was the assistant coach in KKR along with Pandit, from where he then became the assistant coach of Team India. But after just 8 months he was dropped from the Indian team.