The excitement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) is never-ending, and Rajasthan Royals, one of the tournament’s most beloved teams, has added another feather to its cap. In a recent announcement, the franchise revealed that former New Zealand pace sensation Shane Bond will join them as the Assistant Coach and the Fast Bowling Coach for the IPL 2024 season.
Shane Bond, one of the standout modern-day fast bowlers, is no stranger to success. His international career was marked by sheer pace, precision, and the ability to generate movement with the ball. Bond’s presence in the Rajasthan Royals’ coaching setup is bound to benefit the team’s fast bowlers immensely.
Bond has previously served as the Bowling Coach for the New Zealand national team between 2012 and 2015. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in helping the Kiwis reach the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. This achievement showcased Bond’s ability to nurture and develop fast-bowling talent, which is a valuable asset for any team.
The Indian Premier League has witnessed Bond’s coaching prowess before. In 2015, he was employed by the Mumbai franchise as the Bowling Coach. His contributions were significant in helping the Mumbai team secure four IPL titles in just nine seasons. This remarkable record is a testament to Bond’s ability to extract the best out of the fast bowlers under his tutelage.
We've always had a special 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘥 with the name 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘦 . 🫶#RoyalsFamily, meet your new Assistant & Fast Bowling Coach! 💗 pic.twitter.com/xm7VSlDIAF
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 23, 2023
One of Bond’s remarkable abilities is transforming fast bowlers into T20 specialists. His coaching has positively impacted renowned names in the cricketing world, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Trent Boult. These bowlers have become invaluable assets to their respective IPL teams, and Bond’s role in their development cannot be underestimated.
The 48-year-old New Zealander will be reuniting with some of his former proteges at the Royals. Notably, he will work with Jasprit Bumrah, a bowler who has risen to prominence as one of the best fast bowlers in the world under Bond’s guidance. Moreover, he will have the opportunity to enhance the skills of the current core of fast bowlers in the Royals’ squad. This core includes Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen, Obed McCoy, KM Asif, and Kuldip Yadav.
‘If You Want To Win The World Cup, Then You Have To Beat…’, Gautam Gambhir Comes With An Interesting Analysis
Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals, expressed his enthusiasm for Shane Bond’s arrival. He said, “Shane is one of the greatest fast bowlers of modern-day cricket and brings with himself a wealth of experience and knowledge, having mentored some of the best in the business. He has served in the IPL and India for a number of years and is well-versed in 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.”
Shane Bond, equally thrilled about this new venture, shared his thoughts, saying, “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.”
Pink. Royal. Bond. 💗#RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/UsvTzOMLhJ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 23, 2023
The Royals also extended their gratitude to Lasith Malinga, who has been an immense contributor to the franchise over the two seasons he spent with them. The team wished Malinga the very best for his future endeavors, marking a poignant farewell to the legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler.
