BANGALORE – Daniel Vettori is counting on the experience of Indian spin great Anil Kumble as he begins his first stint as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
Vettori, part of the Delhi Daredevils line-up in the first three seasons, was Tuesday named as skipper of the franchise owned by multi-millionaire liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
Kumble, the former India and Bangalore captain, retired from all forms of the game earlier this year and has taken up the role of mentor for the team.
“Anil’s presence is really important for me,” New Zealand left-arm spinner Vettori was quoted as saying in The Hindu newspaper on Thursday. “He has led this team extremely well in the past. His knowledge of the conditions, the team, players and his overall expertise of the game is exceptional.
“From a personal point of view and team’s point of view, Anil’s presence will be immensely beneficial.” Bangalore had a disastrous first season in 2008, finishing seventh in a field of eight teams, but fared much better in the next two editions. They were the losing finalists in 2009 and finished third last year.
Packed with such powerhouse performers as India’s Virat Kohli and Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan, the side is eyeing their first title win in the cash-rich Twenty20 championship. Vettori said he will be helped by the fact that three of his current teammates had played with him for Delhi.
“Dilshan, AB (de Villiers) and (Dirk) Nannes have been around with me for three years, and so it will be a bit comfortable for us as a group to come and be part of the new environment,” he said.
Vettori retired from international T20s and quit the ODI captaincy after the World Cup, where he led the Black Caps to the semi-finals.
