IPL 2016: Jacques Kallis talks about transition from cricketer to coach

The legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who is currently donning the coach’s role in the IPL 2016 for Kolkata Knight Riders, recently talked about the transition from being a cricketer to a coach. The stalwart, who played a key role in the Sydney Thunders' title triumph in the Big Bash League, decided to concentrate on coaching in this year’s IPL.

Kallis, whom KKR bought in the 2011 IPL auction,was a key member of the squad which won the IPL twice in 2012 and 2014. Talking about his transition, the player-turned-coach said, "It's been good fun and I've enjoyed it. I always knew I would enjoy coaching because I've spent a lot of time helping guys out while I was playing.”

The 40-year-old South Africa all-rounder, who has almost 25,000 international runs and over 550 international wickets in his kitty, has been an instrumental figure in the South African cricket. Undoubtedly, Kallis is one of the greats of the game and he surely will like to replicate his success in the coaching role too.

He also added, "Being the head coach means a lot more responsibility and work, but it's been a good journey so far. Fortunately for me, I know the set-up well now since I've been with them (KKR) for long. The transition was an easy one. They are a great bunch of players, so they make the job easier. The players are easily manageable and are without egos," reports the Times of India.

In the IPL, a coach gets around two months to build a team and regarding that the new KKR head coach believes the job is more of mentoring and managing rather than getting too much into the technicalities of the sport.

He said, "You have to manage each player differently and that is the key. It is important to find out what is best for each player. Traditionally coaching used to be one rule for all but now you have to provide an environment which gives the players the space to produce the best result possible."

Kallis, who was appointed the coach of KKR this season after their previous coach Trevor Bayliss left to take the job of the England national team, has done a decent job so far. KKR currently stands at the second position in the league table with 10 points in 8 games and they are looking well on their course to reach the playoffs this season.

KKR beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last game courtesy of some humongous hitting by Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell. The duo came together and stitched a partnership of 96 runs in just 44 balls to steer their side to victory.