Former IPL champion player Manvinder Bisla has now taken up a new role for the Knights ahead of the 2026 IPL season in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp. The KKR wicketkeeper was previously a part of Gautam Gambhir’s IPL-winning team in 2012.
Kolkata Knight Riders have made major changes in their coaching unit. Veteran IPL player Dwayne Bravo will continue to act as his mentor. However, Abhishek Nair has replaced Chandrakant Pandit as the head coach and his role will be crucial for KKR.
Kolkata Knight Riders ended their previous campaign on a disappointing note, as they managed to win only 5 of their 14 matches. No one thought that this was the same team that had won IPL 2024 under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and mentor Gautam Gambhir. However, this time they will have to aim to turn the tables.
Former IPL champion Manvinder Bisla reunites with KKR ahead of 2026 season
KKR head coach Abhishek Nair gave a light introduction of the coaching staff ahead of the start of the IPL 2026 season, as the team gathered to begin preparations for the IPL. While doing so, he introduced former KKR star Manvinder Bisla as one of the scouting members of the team.
“We’ve got Bisla and Biju (George), who are our scouting heads. Our scouting team is here to help us in the development phase,” the KKR head coach said.
Bisla is a well-known name for Kolkata Knight Riders, as he was part of the team that won the first IPL title for Kolkata Knight Riders, only the fourth franchise to win it, in 2012.
The head coach welcomes the addition of our , star staff ↓ pic.twitter.com/mbVU4LDdpO
– KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) 18 March 2026
Head coach Abhishek Nair warmly welcomes Shane Watson to KKR
The KKR head coach, who was previously part of the KKR unit as an assistant coach and later joined the Indian team for a while, is now back as the head coach of the unit and is blessed to have former CSK and RR all-rounder Shane Watson as his assistant coach for the season.
“Just a very formal welcome from me. Some new players. I guess I should start by introducing them. Everyone knows Shane Watson as a player, but I know him as someone who has played under him as a player, and I’m really glad, ‘Watto’, to have you with us.”
“I think even in the short period that I’ve interacted with you, you’ve been a fantastic addition. Take advantage of his experience; you know you’ll learn a lot. We’ve had a lot of good coaches, but I’m pretty sure Shane Watson is going to add a lot of value to us.
“So, Watto, welcome to the KKR family,” Abhishek Nair said in his welcome speech.
KKR will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians
Kolkata Knight Riders will be aiming to get off to a great start as they begin the season against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, the home ground of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane.
KKR will face a powerful MI team, which includes World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is on fire after a stellar World Cup performance.
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