Shane Watson joins Delhi Capitals as assistant coach

The 40-year-old, who played for Rajasthan Royals, RCB, and Chennai Super Kings, will team up with fellow Australian, and Capitals head coach, Ricky Ponting

Shane Watson has joined Delhi Capitals as an assistant coach.

The 40-year-old joins Pravin Amre (assistant coach), Ajit Agarkar (assistant coach) and James Hopes (bowling coach) on the coaching staff and will serve under fellow Australian, Ricky Ponting.

The former allrounder is a two-time IPL champion, winning the title with Rajasthan Royals (2008) and Chennai Super Kings (2018), and also represented RCB in the competition. In 145 IPL appearances, he scored 3,874 runs at 30.99 and posted a career strike rate of 137.91 as well as picking up 92 wickets with his right-arm pace bowling.

He retired from cricket in November 2020, with 216 wickets and nearly 9,000 runs across his T20 career.

^{Shane Watson in action for CSK during the 2019 IPL final [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]}

Commenting on joining Delhi Capitals, he said: "The IPL [is] the best T20 tournament in the world. I’ve got incredible memories as a player, first of all with Rajasthan Royals winning it in 2008, led by the incredible man Shane Warne, RCB and then CSK. I’ve got incredible memories as a player, and now coaching opportunities.

"It’s come to be able to work under the great Ricky Ponting. He was an amazing leader as a captain, and now to be able to coach under him. He is one of the best coaches in the world now. So, for me to be able to learn the ropes under Ricky, I am really excited.

"With Delhi Capitals, they've got a great squad, and now is the time to win their first title. I am super pumped to get over there, work with the boys, help them out as much as I can and hopefully, we can win the first title. Can’t wait to get over there."

In 2022, Delhi Capitals, one of the seven original teams in the IPL, will be aiming to lift their maiden title after previously finishing second in 2020 and third on four occasions.