Brad Hodge has signed a three-year deal with the Kings XI Punjab

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former Australia batsman Brad Hodge has been named as head coach of the Kings XI Punjab for next three editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Hodge, who held a similar role with the Gujarat Lions for the last two seasons of the tournament, will replace ex-India batsman Virender Sehwag.

Sehwag, who is the franchise’s mentor and director of cricket, held the position informally after Sanjay Bangar resigned in December 2016.

“We have signed a three-year agreement with Brad, who will be our head coach,” Ness Wadia, one of the franchise’s co-owners, said. “Viru [Sehwag] will be actively involved, too, as our director of cricket.

“We really see that after 10 [the tenth season], now that more money is coming, now that the model is bringing in operational income and profit, we can build a proper franchise. We are hopeful of taking things forward and get the best team possible.”

In this year’s IPL, the Kings XI were in the running for a spot in the playoffs, but there hopes of achieving that feat were shattered when they lost to the Rising Pune Supergiants in their final group stage match.