IPL 2022: Vikram Solanki leaves Surrey head coach job after joining Ahmedabad
Former England cricketer Vikram Solanki has resigned from the post of Surrey head coach after being appointed as the director of new IPL team Ahmedabad. Solanki joined the coaching staff of Surrey as the deputy head coach in 2018. In 2020, he was promoted as the head coach of the team.
In the year before, he worked as the assistant head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Solanki will be joined in the support staff team by Gary Kirsten and Ashish Nehra. The trio worked together in the RCB during the 2019 IPL season.
Solanki joined the team as a player in 2013 and announced his retirement in 2015. He mostly played for Worcestershire from 1995 to 2012. He also played for Rajasthan for one season alongside his Worcester teammate Kabir Ali in 2006-07. He is also the first British-Asian to coach a county team.
Meanwhile, Surrey issued a statement quoting Solanki saying that the club has been an extremely valuable part of his life. He also thanked Alec Stewart, who is the director of the club, for the support provided.
“Surrey has been an extremely valuable part of my life for the last nine years, both as a player and as a coach, making the decision to leave a difficult one,” Solanki said in a statement issued by Surrey. “I am forever grateful for the level of support that has always been afforded to me and my family during my time here. A special thank you too to Alec Stewart who has been a mentor and a guide.”
Will remain inspired by all the interaction and learnings, says Solanki
The 45-year-old added that he will always remain inspired by all the interactions and learnings with the players and support staff since he joined the club. “I will always remain inspired by all the interactions and learnings with players and staff I have had the good fortune of working so closely with. There are many respected friendships I will cherish for a lifetime.
“Finally, it has been a privilege to serve this great club in the small way I have, and it has been an honour to have been the head coach of Surrey for the last two years. To all the players, staff and Members, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!,” Vikram Solanki added.
