Veteran New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori will coach this year in the Indian Premier League.

The 34-year-old former Test captain, who has played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore for three years, will take over the coaching role from Ray Jennings.

Assisted by bowling coach, South African great Allan Donald, and fielding coach Trent Woodhill, he will be in charge of such talent as Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and skipper Virat Kohli.

“Having been closely associated with RCB for the last three years, I’m excited by the opportunity to work with this exceptional brand and Virat in delivering on RCB’s true potential,” Vettori told Indian media.

The IPL player auction will be held next month before the competition is held in April and May.

The move throws into more doubt Vettori’s playing future for New Zealand.

An achilles injury, and then a back tweak, means he has not played for New Zealand since the ICC Champions Trophy last year in England.

The left-arm spinner is playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

He doesn’t have a contract with New Zealand Cricket or local club Northern Districts.