In a significant development for the Rajasthan Royals franchise, former New Zealand speedster Shane Bond has been appointed as the Assistant Coach and the Fast Bowling Coach ahead of the IPL 2024 season. The Royals Sports Group-owned team is looking to bolster their pace attack and has entrusted Bond with the crucial task of honing the skills of the squad’s fast bowlers.
Bond: A Storied Career and Successful Stint with Mumbai Indians
Shane Bond, one of the standout fast bowlers in modern-day cricket, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. His coaching journey includes a stint as the Bowling Coach for the New Zealand national team from 2012 to 2015, during which he played a pivotal role in guiding them to the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Bond’s IPL experience is also noteworthy, having contributed significantly to the Mumbai franchise’s triumph in winning four titles over nine seasons.
Under Bond’s tutelage, several fast bowlers have evolved into T20 specialists. Renowned names like Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan, and Trent Boult have benefited from his insights and coaching prowess. Bond will be reuniting with the talented Trent Boult at the Royals and is excited about the prospect of working with the current core of fast bowlers in the squad.
Welcoming a Cricketing Maestro to the Royals
Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, expressed his enthusiasm for having Shane Bond join the franchise. He acknowledged Bond’s extraordinary cricketing career and his coaching acumen.Â
Sangakkara stated, “Shane is one of the greatest fast bowlers of modern-day cricket, and brings with himself a wealth of experience and knowledge having mentored some of the best in the business. He is someone who has a keen eye for helping the best become even better, and we are delighted to welcome him to the franchise.”
Shane Bond reciprocated the enthusiasm and spoke about his excitement in joining the Rajasthan Royals. He commended the franchise for its forward-thinking approach and expressed his eagerness to be part of their vision. Bond noted, “The bowling group is a great mix of youth and experience, and it will be awesome to work alongside them.”
Acknowledging Lasith Malinga’s Contribution
The Rajasthan Royals also took a moment to express their gratitude to Lasith Malinga, who had been part of the franchise for two seasons, for his significant contributions. The team extended their best wishes to the departing cricketer for his future endeavours.
Bond’s appointment marks a strategic move by the Rajasthan Royals as they aim to fortify their fast-bowling department and seek to leave a lasting impact in the IPL 2024 season. Bond’s vast experience and expertise are expected to play a crucial role in moulding the Royals into title contenders.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
