Calcutta: Lakshmipathy Balaji returns to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), this time as a bowling coach, the franchise announced on Tuesday.

The former India medium pacer comes in place of bowling coach and mentor Wasim Akram, who parted ways with the team last month because of "professional commitments and time constraints" - the official reason given by the franchise.

Balaji joined KKR back in 2011 and remained an integral part of their bowling attack till 2013, contributing to the team's maiden IPL triumph in 2012.

"Its great to welcome Bala back to the KKR family. He was an integral part of KKR from 2011-13 and played a key role in helping KKR win the championship in 2012," was the franchise's official announcement.

Commenting on his new role as KKR bowling coach, Balaji said: "I had thoroughly enjoyed my stint as a player for KKR and I am delighted to be back to the franchise that I have admired."

Balaji retired from first-class cricket in September last year and is the bowling coach of Tamil Nadu as well. He last played at the IPL in 2014 for Kings XI Punjab.

In fact, the 2014 final in which KKR beat the Kings XI by three wickets at the Chinnaswamy was Balaji's last IPL appearance.

The match didn't go well for him as he conceded as many as 41 runs off his four overs and went wicketless. Being back at KKR, the task won't be very easy at all for Balaji as he will have to fill in the shoes of someone like Akram, who did have an influence on the team's bowlers.<>

Ever since Akram's arrival in the coaching staff, the KKR bowling attack turned into one of the strongest in the IPL.

KKR won the title twice, in 2012 and 2014, and it had a lot to do with their strong, disciplined bowling attack. And even in the editions when they weren't much successful, KKR's bowlers did make an impact.