: Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe will be the Chief Strategist for the Bangalore team in the Indian Premier League that kicks off here at the M Chinnaswamy stadium under lights on April 18. Bangalore team CEO Charu Sharma said that though the deal was yet to be finalised, Crowe was part of the team. The Kiwi, according to Charu, will be working at the 'macro level.'
Team India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad too will have a key role in the side though he is yet to be given any designation. "How can you do without him?" remarked Charu.
Former India and Karnataka player Vijay Bharadwaj too is part of the Bangalore team. Bharadwaj, who is currently coaching Karnataka, besides providing the team with the software analysis, will be also part of their strategy making.
Meanwhile, Bangalore have short-listed almost all their players, who are predominantly from Karnataka. Former Karnataka Ranji skipper J Arun Kumar, who is leading Goa now, medium-pacer R Vinay Kumar, middle-order batsmen Manish Pandey and Bharath Chipli, all-rounder B Akhil, wicket-keeper batsman Devraj Patil and left-arm spinner KP Appanna being the candidates.
Though Arun Kumar, one might think is a bit over the hill, the requirement for an experienced top-quality opener forced Bangalore to opt for the veteran. "We needed someone as experienced as him who can withstand the pressure of playing at the international level. Arun Kumar, very much a Bangalorean and who now plays for Goa, fitted the bill," said Charu. Goa and Services are the other two catchment areas for Bangalore.
Vinay, who has come to establish himself as Karnataka's pace spearhead, was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy. The 23-year old is a handy lower-order batsman as well. Akhil's useful all-round abilities and good fielding skills will augur well for the team. While under-19 World Cup player Pandey and Chipli will be assets on the field, their batting abilities cannot be ignored. Patil will be the second wicketkeeper-batsman, while Appanna provides them the left-arm spin option. 
Bangalore were also looking to have Jharkhand middle-order batsman Sourabh Tiwari, who is part of the on-going under-19 World Cup, in their side.