Bharat Arun joins KKR as bowling coach

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday announced the appointment on Bharat Arun as their bowling coach for the upcoming 2022 season. 

The 59-year old had left his role as Indian men's team's bowling coach last November alongside head coach Ravi Shastri after seven years and played a key role in the development of the Indian pace attack.

"We are delighted to introduce you to our new bowling coach! Welcome to the Knight Riders family, Bharat Arun," KKR's official channel tweeted on Friday.

"We are very excited to have someone of the calibre of Bharat Arun joining us as our bowling coach. He will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to KKR’s strong support staff. We are delighted to welcome him to the Knight Riders family," KKR CEO Venky Mysore said.

Head coach Brendon McCullum said he is looking forward to working with Arun.

"A warm welcome to B Arun to the KKR coaching staff. With a strong and successful pedigree in the international game, I’m sure Arun will complement the current staff we have and I look forward to working with him," the former New Zealand opener said.

Speaking about his appointment, Arun said: "I'm very excited and looking forward to becoming part of a highly successful franchise, such as the Knight Riders. I have admired the Knight Riders franchise for not only being very successful in the IPL and around the world in T20 leagues but also for the way it is very professionally run."

Arun had previously worked in the IPL as the assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014. The former Tamil Nadu pacer had worked as the chief bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy and was the head coach of the India men's U19 team in 2012. He will replace former New Zealand pacer Kyle Mills at KKR.