Mike Hesson has signed with Kings XI Punjab for the role of head coach for the upcoming 2019 season of the Indian Premier League, it was revealed on Monday (October 29). Hesson, who stepped down from his full-time coaching role with New Zealand earlier in June, replaces Brad Hodge, and is set to be appointed for a period of two years.

After six years with the national side, Hesson cited taking a "break from the rigours of international cricket" as the primary reason for his stepping down from the New Zealand role a year ahead of the World Cup. Under him, New Zealand became a force to reckon with in the Test format, reached their first World Cup final in 2015 and also registered thirteen victories at home in the 2017-18 season.

Hesson, who has never coached in franchise cricket before, joins fellow New Zealanders Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming in coaching a franchise in the IPL. He will have the task of turning around fortunes of a side that finished seventh in the tournament last season, after a stellar start, winning five in seven games, but finished the season with just six wins in 14 games.

He will join Virender Sehwag, the Mentor and Head of Cricket Operations, as part of the staff at KXIP. It is still unknown if Sehwag's role will be affected by Hesson's appointment.