Sourav Ganguly, Alan Donald in Pune Warriors coaching staff

“Ganguly is the best option for Pune captain role”: Source close to Pune Warriors

Ganguly may lead Pune in IPL5

Pune Warriors India (PWI), the IPL team based in Pune, officially retained Sourav Ganguly for the coming IPL season at his base price of $400,000. Sourav was also inducted to the coaching staff and the former India captain will play the dual role of mentor cum player in the fifth season of the Indian Premiere League. Pune also hired the service of former South Africa fast bowler Alan Donald as the bowling coach. After Geoff Marsh, PWI’s coach in the last season, resigned to join the Sri Lankan team as coach, it was widely speculated that India’s shrewdest captain Sourav Ganguly will be given the role of a mentor in the team. Sourav will be helped by Pravin Amre (batting coach) and Alan Donald (bowling coach). Paddy Upton will support the players as the mental and conditioning coach of the team.

Ganguly had joined the Pune team midway during IPL IV as a replacement for pacer Ashish Nehra. There are also talks of Ganguly being given the role of Pune captain for the IPL4. A source close to the Pune team said, “With Yuvraj Singh‘s fitness issues, there is high chances of Ganguly being given the top role. Recently, Yuvraj was not selected for the ODI tri-series in Australia for fitness reasons. Even if Yuvraj becomes fit for IPL5, it is still uncertain if he will be ready to take the leadership role. In such scenario, Ganguly is the best option we have.” With the IPL player auction scheduled on 4th February, the final decision regarding the captaincy will be finalised soon.

Alan Donald who is currently associated with the South African team as its bowling coach will be available for the entire season of IPL5 as the South Africa team has no international commitment during the period.

Pune Warriors had a poor IPL last year when it finished at the 9th position among 10 teams. This year, Pune will begin its tournament with the first match against Mumbai Indians on 6th April.