Brendon McCullum named as Kolkata Knight Riders head coach

McCullum announced his retirement from playing last week, three years on from the conclusion of his international career. He played 101 Tests, 260 ODIs and 71 T20Is for New Zealand from 2002 to 2016, and led the nation to their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final, in 2015.

The 37-year-old represented Kolkata Knight Riders as a player, famously hitting 158 not out in the first match of the IPL in 2008. He was part of the side that won the tournament in 2012.

McCullum also played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, winning the tournament in 2017 and 2018.

On his appointment to the position, McCullum said: “It’s a great honour to take on this responsibility. The Knight Rider franchises in IPL & CPL have become iconic and have set the standard in franchise cricket.

“We have fantastic squads in both KKR & TKR and I along with the support staff will be looking to build on the successes both franchises have enjoyed.”