Hussey, the former Australia all-rounder, and Mills, the former Kiwi pacer, have been named chief mentor and bowling coach respectively for the 2020 edition.

“It’s great to welcome David Hussey and Kyle Mills to the Knight Riders family,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore said in a statement. “They bring a wealth of experience as professionals, and are terrific individuals.”

Mills, who represented New Zealand between 2001 and 2015, primarily as a new-ball bowler across formats, is currently their second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Last year, he linked up with the national team in the capacity of a bowling coach.

🙌 Welcome Chief Mentor @DavidHussey29, and @kylemills79, our bowling coach, as they join hands with Head Coach @Bazmccullum for #IPL2020 🔥

"They bring a wealth of experience as professionals, and are terrific individuals." – @VenkyMysore 💜#KorboLorboJeetbo pic.twitter.com/JMywu26hVc

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 5, 2019

Hussey, who was appointed head coach of Big Bash League franchise Melbourne Stars in May, featured in 108 games for Australia between 2008 and 2013, and continued to play domestic cricket until his retirement in 2017.

Ahead of the 2008 IPL, Mills was snapped up as an overseas player by Punjab, and moved to Mumbai the following year, but did not feature in a single game. Hussey, in contrast, had a lengthy IPL career from 2008 to 2014, lining up for Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab and Knight Riders, playing 23 of his 64 games for the Kolkata-based franchise.

Two-time champions KKR have progressed to the playoffs thrice since their last title win, in 2014, but haven’t managed to make it to the finals in the last five years. After a fifth-place finish in 2019, they decided to revamp their coaching structure, releasing Jacques Kallis from the head coach’s position, and Simon Katich as the assistant coach.

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The franchise named McCullum as the head coach last month, to work alongside Dinesh Karthik, the franchise’ captain since 2018. Ex-Leicestershire cricketer Carl Crowe has been working as their spin-bowling coach.

“We are confident that their contribution as part of the think tank of KKR, and to the KKR Academy, will be invaluable,” Mysore said.