Ganguly to captain KKR in 2010?

Sourav Ganguly is almost certain to be reinstated as captain while John Wright is likely to take over as coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in the third edition of the Indian Premier League in 2010, team sources said on Saturday.

Even as an official announcement is awaited, sources said there could be a major reshuffle, with former India coach Wright likely to replace John Buchanan and former Australia middle-order batsman Michael Bevan in the coaching panel.

Sources said Ganguly will be back at the helm in 2010 when his contract with the Kolkata team ends. The iconic Bengal cricketer is believed to have had a one-on-one with principal owner Shah Rukh Khan when they met in London to receive doctorates for the University of Central Lancashire last week.

"Ganguly and Shah Rukh Khan had a discussion about this when the left-hander was in London last week. They have agreed in principle that Ganguly will lead the side," the source added.

"There was also discussion about the possible coaches. Wright and Bevan are the front-runners. It is up to Shah Rukh to take the final call."

Ganguly, meanwhile, said nothing is finalised yet and a proper announcement will be made in due time.

"I don't take the decision of KKR alone. There are a number of people involved in the process. But, hopefully, in due course of time we will get a person who will coach the team. The decision has not been made yet," Ganguly said.

The Knight Riders' management was also tightlipped about the development.

When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya said: "At the moment, I don't deny this (Ganguly as captain and Wright as the chief coach). However, there has not been any official announcement as yet."

Asked whether he was aware of the development, he replied, "I don't want to comment on this. When there is an official announcement, we will let you know."

In the second edition of the Indian Premier League in South Africa, Kolkata Knight Riders were plagued with controversies, especially after Ganguly was dethroned just two days before the start of the tournament.

Knight Riders' coach John Buchanan, who later had to part ways with the franchise after its bottom place finish, had floated the idea of multiple captaincy only to hand over the leadership to New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

IPL III, which was advanced to accommodate the ICC World Twenty20, begins in March 2010 and will overlap Australia's tour of New Zealand.