IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals part ways with head coach Andrew McDonald

Jaipur: IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals on Sunday parted ways with Andrew McDonald as their head coach after only one season of association, saying that they mutually agreed ‘‘to move in different directions with regards to the leadership structure’’.

(Photo: Twitter)

As a part of leadership restructuring, the franchise also appointed former Zimbabwe cricketer Trevor Penny as their lead assistant coach for the upcoming season of IPL.

“Everyone at Rajasthan Royals would like to thank Andrew for his efforts towards the IPL season 13. He coached the team during an incredibly challenging COVID restricted period and we would like to wish him all the very best for his future endeavours with the Australian Men’s Cricket Team and the Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred”, said Jake Lush McCrum, COO, Rajasthan Royals.

Penney plied his trade as a player for seventeen years with the Warwickshire County Cricket Club before starting off on his extensive coaching career around the world.

In his coaching career, Penney has worked with countries like India, Sri Lanka, England as well as associate nations such as the Netherlands and the USA.

Currently employed by the West Indies working with their white ball teams, Penny is also a regular feature on the T20 franchise circuit with past experiences in the IPL, the Caribbean Premier League, and Bangladesh Premier League among others.

He will work with the Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, captain Sanju Samson and the leadership team comprising spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahatule, fast bowling coach Rob Cassell and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik.

He will work with Royals’ newly-appointed Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, who will be the “decision maker in the structure”, captain Sanju Samson, spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahatule, fast bowling coach Rob Cassell and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik.

Zubin Bharucha will serve as the Development and Performance Director.

“It’s fantastic to have Trevor Penney on board here at Rajasthan Royals. He’s very experienced and understands the game very well which I am sure will help contribute to the players’ and squad’s overall growth. I’m confident Trevor’s appointment is going to set us on the right pathway and it will be wonderful to have him work with our squad” said Sangakkara about Penny’s appointment.

Meanwhile, Amol Muzumdar, who served as the batting coach for the last three seasons, will now serve as an “out-of-season High Performance Batting coach to support the squad and RR academies.”

“It’s great to bring in someone with a coaching CV like that of Trevor. He’s one of the most well travelled coaches in the modern game and has had considerable success across the globe.

Kumar and Trevor have a really strong relationship after sharing a successful period together with the Sri Lankan national team. We are hopeful of an exciting season ahead under the able leadership of Kumar alongside a strategy group including Sanju, Zubin and Trevor,” said Jake Lush McCrum. (UNI)