In a groundbreaking development, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have decided to participate with two of its coaches ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has removed Chandrakant Pandit as the head coach of the franchise, and he has also participated with bowling coach Bharat Arun.
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Chandrakant Pandit replaced Brendon McCullum in KKR
Brendon McCullum appointed highly considered domestic coach Pandit as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders after participating with the franchise to join the England National Cricket Team.
Pandit took over as the head coach of KKR from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and remained part of the set-up until 2025 season.
In his debut season in The Hell, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) struggled to perform and finished seventh. Things changed significantly in the next season as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) raised their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
However, the credit of Kolkata Knight Riders Indian Premier League 2024 was given to most patron Gautam Gambhir and Assistant Coach Abhishek Nair.
The influence of Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nair was quite important, when they overtook the Indian Premier League 2025 to join Team India, Kolkata Knight Riders’ performance downhill, and he finished eighth on the table of points.
Chandrakant Pandit’s dispute in KKR
Despite being an IPL-winner head coach and a famous run in domestic cricket, Chandrakant Pandit was not a well-liked coach behind the screen.
After his failure with KKR in the first season, some foreign players, including David Visay, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with their “militant” and disciplinary coaching style.
In addition, during IPL 2025, reports came out that foreign players were not happy with the strictness of Pandit, and it was discovered that he questioned a foreign player to eat with rivals during the season.
He was staying with notable controversies around his ruling management style in the Kolkata-based franchise, and after the devastating IPL 2025 season, there were reports that the franchise was looking for a new head coach.
Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to find out new opportunities – KKR
In an official statement, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) said that Pandit has decided to find out new opportunities and wishes them for the future.
“Thank you Chandu Sir. Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to find out the new opportunities and will not continue as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.
KKR said in an official statement, “We are grateful to his invaluable contributions – which includes KKR, a leading KKR for the Tata IPL Championship in 2024 and helps in building a strong, flexible squad. Their leadership and discipline have left a permanent impact on the team. We wish him a wishes for the future.”
We wish you all the best for our future efforts, Chandu sir
Punash: Once a knight, always a knight. Kolkata will always be your home pic.twitter.com/gf0lxx5fiz
– kolkataknightriders (@kkriders) 29 July, 2025
Meanwhile, a TOI journalist has claimed that India Arun, who was KKR’s bowling coach, has also been allowed by the franchise and will join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
According to reliable sources, Kolkata Knight Riders have participated with head coach Chandrakant Pandit and bowling coach Bharat Arun. A source told me that Arun will be nominated as CSK bowling coach.
#Bigbreaking
Kolkata Knight Riders have participated with head coach Chandrakant Pandit and bowling coach Bharat Arun, which is according to rethinking sources. A source tells me that Arun will be named as CSK bowling coach. @Kkriders @Chennaiipl @IPL– Gaurav Gupta (@Toi_Gauravg) 29 July, 2025
