South African Paddy Upton will reportedly coach the Rajasthan Royals in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Upton worked with the Royals previously, from 2013 to 2015. He also has experience with the Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils – as well as the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League and Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League.

Upton, too, was employed as countryman Gary Kirsten’s assistant at India and South Africa.

Rajasthan purchased Australian Ashton Turner, England’s Liam Livingstone and West Indian Oshane Thomas during December 2018’s player auction.

The Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, bought South African seamer Anrich Nortje, New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and England batsman Joe Denly.

‘We have a well-balanced side now that we’ve got to play in another country. We needed a few more bowlers and we’re fortunate enough to get what we wanted. Getting Brathwaite wasn’t a punt – he was in our top five list, and being an all-rounder he adds balance to the team,’ said former Proteas all-rounder and current Kolkata coach Jacques Kallis.

Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore added: ‘As captain and coach decided, we have a very settled team. There were very specific gaps we needed to fill, so it was great to get Carlos. We saw him in the Caribbean Premier League.

‘Lockie brings us pace and firepower with the new ball. We have the money and we have all the slots sorted now.’

Photo: Gallo