Fully understand RCB’s concern, says franchise’s departing coach Daniel Vettori

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has no hard feelings over his exit as the coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise which is yet to win the trophy once. Vettori called the decision taken by RCB as a “pragmatic” one and fully realised that it was time to make “a change”. The Royal Challengers made a complete overhaul of the team to take a fresh stance in the 2019 edition of the tournament. Vettori himself was replaced by former South African opener Garry Kirsten.

A veteran of 113 Tests, 295 ODIs and 34 T20Is, Vettori has had a long association with RCB both as a player and coach and also led them to the final of the 2011 edition which they lost to Chennai Super Kings decisively. RCB made the finals on two other occasions – 2009 and 2016 – but could not overcome the final obstacle on any occasion. Vettori was the coach in the 2016 edition.

Speaking to The New Zealand Herald on Saturday, the 39-year-old Vettori said he fully understood the decision taken by RCB franchise. “Two years of poor results and time for a change. I was out of contract, also. Five years is a great run for a coach. Loved my time there,” he mentioned.

Vettori had an ordinary stint as RCB coach

After an impressive run in 2016 when RCB lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final, the franchise saw two poor finishes in 2017 (they finished last out of eight sides) and 2018 (they finished sixth) and it meant Vettori’s fate would be under scrutiny. In the 2014 and 2015 editions, too, the team finished seventh and third, respectively, under Vettor’s tutelage.

Vettori, who has over 700 international wickets under his belt, had a very good relationship with RCB players and officials. He was known to have an excellent rapport with captain Virat Kohli during the latter’s stint while RCB chairman Sanjeev Churiwala and his successor Kirsten also praised the New Zealander for his work. Kirsten served as RCB’s batting coach and worked under Vettori in the 2018 edition.

RCB have not been the only team to have seen an ordinary run under Vettori’s watch. The former left-arm spinner’s coaching stint with Middlesex saw the side finish ninth and last in the South Group of England’s Vitality Blast T20 competition. Brisbane Heat, another team under his coaching, ended up as the second worst out of eight teams in Australia’s Big Bash League.

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