MUMBAI: Indian Premier League (IPL) 2012 and 2014 champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have announced that cricketer Jacques Kallis, has decided to continue his association with the franchise, this time in a different role. He will now be seen as a mentor and batting consultant. Kallis has been with the team for close to four years, from 2011 to 2014 and played a big role in the franchise’s success as well as at the Champions League T2O this year.

Commenting on this development, KKR MD and CEO Venky Mysore said, “We are honoured to start a long-term relationship with Jacques in a different role as mentor and batting consultant and benefit from everything he brings to KKR. Jacques’s commitment to KKR has been brilliant and his contribution both on the filed and in the dressing room has been superb.”

Kallis said, “KKR has been my Indian family for the last four years. Over the past year I have had a chance to think about my future and when KKR approached me with this long-term offer, I jumped at it. KKR is a great brand and am really looking forward to assisting them in my new role as mentor and batting consultant.”

Kallis further added, “I had signed a two year contract with Sydney Thunder for 2014 and 2015 and have also committed to playing in The Caribbean Premier League next year.  These commitments were made prior to concluding my new role with KKR.”