Buchanan leaves IPL role

John Buchanan (right) toasts the 2007 World Cup win alongside Australia captain Ricky Ponting in Barbados

Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders have parted ways with John Buchanan, their director of cricket operations.

The decision, which the team said was mutually agreed, was expected after Buchanan presided over 10 defeats in 14 league matches in the second edition of the tournament in South Africa.

Buchanan agreed last week to take up an advisory role for England ahead of the upcoming npower Ashes Test series.

“The Knight Riders management and owners have reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the team with all parties involved and are proactively looking for a new approach to ensure Knight Riders are well prepared for the 2010 season of IPL and beyond,” co-owner Jay Mehta said in a statement.

“As a part of this exercise, Knight Riders have consulted with John Buchanan to discuss a new approach.

“John, however, feels the vision and direction for the team he wishes to take are no longer aligned to those of the owners and franchise management, and as such he has decided to return to his coaching and corporate consulting work through his company, Buchanan Success Coaching.

“We have amicably agreed that Knight Riders will release John Buchanan from his contract with immediate effect.”

Prior to the IPL, Buchanan stripped Sourav Ganguly of the Kolkata captaincy and proposed a multiple leaders theory.

Those plans were eventually dropped after team owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan intervened, but the captain’s arm band was handed to New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum.

The Knight Riders’ campaign began poorly and they lost eight straight games before finishing off with a couple of wins.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed in not being able to continue with the Knight Riders and complete the work I started some 18 months ago,” Buchanan said.

“I think we have the makings of a very good IPL franchise, and the foundations are there for 2010.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me at Knight Riders, and I wish the team every success in 2010.”