RCB win will boost Vettori’s chances of becoming Team India coach

RCB captain Virat Kohli had recommended Daniel Vettori’s name before BCCI sought applications for India coach job. The Kiwi could be in fray should RCB go on to win the IPL 9 on Sunday.

Bengaluru

Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is credited for masterminding RCB’s stunning turnaround in IPL 9. (AP Photo)

As the BCCI gears up to select a new head coach for India, former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is busy guiding Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of Sunday’s IPL final.

The 37-year-old RCB chief coach is in fray for the India job. RCB captain Virat Kohli recommended his name before the Board sought applications. The race could tilt in his favour if Vettori guides RCB to victory.

At one stage, RCB’s hopes of a playoff berth were diminishing with the weak bowling in focus as it struggled to complement the batting led by Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Kohli’s knocks and de Villiers’ support turned things around, but the peaking of the bowling in the latter stages saw them become the team to beat.

The bowling needed the former Kiwi spinner’s attention. And it was leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who rallied the bowling.

His four-wicket haul against Kings XI Punjab not only took him to the top of the wicket-takers’ list, it also paved the way for his side’s rise into the top four. Shane Watson, Chris Jordan and Sreenath Aravind then joined forces with Chahal.

“Since he (Vettori) became coach, we’ve tried to create this sort of atmosphere and environment. We’ve been able to do that this season,” said Kohli.

“I’m really happy for him as well because he came in with a lot of pressure and expectation on him. To be able to get that momentum going, it took us a good two years.

“Last year, we did well but the year before wasn’t that good. It was his first year. He’s shown lot of composure as coach. He’s come a long way in terms of understanding the team and is handling the guys pretty well.”