IPL 2022: Shane Watson roped in as new assistant coach at Delhi Capitals

While Ponting leads the pack as the Head Coach, the rest are assistant coaches, except for James Hopes who handles the bowling department.

The Australian all-rounder does not have prior coaching experience but he is excited about his debut in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to begin on March 26, 2022. He issued a statement through press release where it said, "With Delhi Capitals, they have got a great squad."

He further added, "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."

Watson has experience in different franchises of T20 cricket, with remarkable wins in Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, and Pakistan Super League. He was the MVP during Rajasthan Royals' (RR) 2008 win and his career in the league ended with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

He was an opener in the 2018 season where his team bagged the title and he scored 555 runs in 15 innings. He secured a sensational century in the final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Watson raved about his experience in the league. "The IPL, the best T20 tournament in the world. I've got incredible memories as a player, first of all with RR winning it in 2008, led by the incredible man Shane Warne, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and then Chennai Super Kings CSK."

He continued, "I've got incredible memories as a player, and now coaching opportunity. 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 nowadays. So, for me to be able to learn the ropes under Ricky, I am really excited."

One of the best all-rounders Australia has ever produced, Shane Watson scripted a memorable T20I journey over the years. He became the Player of the Series in the 2012 T20 World Cup where he had a strike rate of 150.00 and dominated the runs chart. He finished second on the wickets chart with 11 dismissals with an average of 7.33 runs per over.

He retired from all three formats in November 2020, after a dismal season where Chennai Super King’s poor performance cost them a spot in the playoffs. Shane Watson currently has 3875 runs and 92 wickets to his name in his Indian Premier League journey.

He will be remembered as one of the best all-rounders in the tournament due to his steady and consistent approach to the sport.

His track records include playing for Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. He was part of two Indian Premier League victories – one with RR in 2008, and the other with Chennai Super Kings in 2018.