“I can help them form a balanced team considering seven Indian players always feature”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

The Delhi Daredevils have appointed former India batsman Pravin Amre as their assistant coach for the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

It is understood that head coach Gary Kirsten also agreed that Amre, who was appointed as the head coach of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy side this year, would be the best candidate for the job.

“Three years ago, Daredevils were a certainty for knockouts,” Amre said. “But the last two years, they have fallen by the wayside. That is where my inputs as a coach will come handy. I can help them form a balanced team considering seven Indian players always feature. So my knowledge of domestic Indian players will come to the fore.

“I am looking forward to working with him [Kirsten]. We know how much contributions he has done for Indian cricket so it would be a learning experience for me, too.”

Daredevils’ CEO Herman Dua added: “Last year we felt the biggest vacuum was we did not have an Indian guy on the coaching bench. Someone who is currently active and knows what goes on at the domestic level. Pravin brings all the knowledge as he is an active Ranji coach, so he has seen the players first-hand. He knows if we need to look at any young Indian talent, he can offer his suggestions. He can work with the Indian players in a much better way where here [he] can give support to Gary.”

Meanwhile, it has also been announced that the Daredevils has released Eric Simons, who has held various posts with the franchise since 2010.