IPL 2022: Lucknow franchise appoints Vijay Dahiya as assistant coach

Former wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya was on Wednesday roped in as the assistant coach of the new Lucknow franchise ahead of IPL 2022.

The 48-year-old from Haryana is the current coach of the Uttar Pradesh team. He has earlier worked as an assistant coach of two-time IPL winning Kolkata Knight Riders.

Dahiya has also served as the talent scout for the Delhi Capitals, apart from coaching the Delhi Ranji team.

''I am delighted and grateful for the opportunity given to me to work with the Lucknow IPL franchise,'' Dahiya, who has played two Tests and 19 ODIs for India, said in a statement.

The Lucknow team, which is part of the RPSG Group, had earlier appointed Andy Flower as head coach and Gautam Gambhir as the mentor ahead of next year's IPL.

Lucknow IPL team appoints Gautam Gambhir as Team Mentor. Dr. Sanjiv Goenka welcomed Gautam Gambhir to the RPSG family.#IndianPremierLeague #LucknowIPLTeam #Cricket @IPL @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/B6zhFIuFb2 — RP Sanjiv Goenka Group (@rpsggroup) December 18, 2021

Gambhir, who is also a member of parliament, had captained KKR to two IPL titles during his playing days.

"Thanks a lot to Dr Goenka and the RPSG Group for presenting me this wonderful opportunity in their setup.

"The fire to win a contest still burns bright inside me, the desire to leave a winner's legacy still kicks me 24x7. I will not be contesting for a dressing room but for the spirit and soul of Uttar Pradesh," Gambhir said in a statement.