Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) already host an array of superstars from the world of cricket. The new IPL franchise have also roped in former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni will be leading the side in IPL 2016.
And they will appoint Eric Simmons as their bowling coach for the new IPL season. Simmons was the bowling coach of Team India when they lifted the ICC World Cup 2011 trophy. He has already worked with Dhoni prior to this and it is likely to be yet another happy association.
RPS are making sure that their inaugural season in the IPL kick-starts in the right fashion. Apart from Dhoni, they already have the likes of Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane, Mitchell Marsh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kevin Pietersen, Faf du Plessis and many others in their ranks.
The Pune franchise are holding talks with the former South African all-rounder and they will make an official announcement soon.
Simmons has previously been the coach of Delhi Daredevils in 2012 and 2013. The Daredevils failed to yield positive results in the IPL, as a result of which Simmons was removed from his position.
Simmons' role in India's success in the ICC World Cup 2011 was widely praised. However, he decided to step down from his role after India had awful tours of England and Australia.
The former South African is also the coach of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean Premier League.
A few days ago, RPS appointed Hrishikesh Kanitkar as the assistant coach of the franchise.
They Sanjiv Goenka-owned side has already done a fair amount of business in the recent IPL 2016 player auction and now it is time for them to make it large in the upcoming cash-rich tournament.
During their jersey launch a couple of days ago, their captain Dhoni mentioned that they are confident of doing well in the new edition of the IPL as RPS is a balanced side. As Dhoni has been provided with proper arsenal, the opponents can be rest assured, that RPS will be a tough team to beat.
