KKR Part Ways with Head Coach Chandrakant Pandit After Three Seasons

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially parted ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit following a disappointing IPL 2025 season that saw the franchise finish eighth on the points table. The move comes as part of a broader shake-up in the team's support staff.

Pandit, who was appointed in August 2022, had a three-year tenure with KKR. Despite a rocky start in 2023, where the team finished seventh, he guided the side to its third IPL title in 2024, ending a decade-long championship drought.

In a statement, the franchise acknowledged his contributions, saying, "Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue as head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. We are thankful for his invaluable contributions — including leading KKR to the IPL championship in 2024 and helping build a strong, resilient squad. His leadership and discipline left a lasting impact on the team."

Pandit succeeded Brendon McCullum as head coach and brought with him a reputation for discipline and structure, honed during his successful domestic coaching career with Madhya Pradesh. However, his "military-style" approach was met with resistance from some overseas players. Namibia allrounder David Wiese, part of the KKR squad in 2023, highlighted the challenges in adapting to Pandit's methods, stating on the Hitman for Hire podcast:

"He is very strict, very disciplinarian… In franchise cricket, overseas guys who’ve played all over the world don’t need someone telling them how to behave or what to wear all the time."

To ease the tension, KKR brought in Gautam Gambhir as mentor after his stint with Lucknow Super Giants. Following Gambhir’s appointment as head coach of the Indian national team in July 2024, Pandit led the 2025 campaign with mentor Dwayne Bravo and bowling coach Bharat Arun.

While his departure signals the end of a notable chapter, Pandit is expected to return to his role as director of cricket at Madhya Pradesh, where he has enjoyed significant domestic success.

The coaching change could also pave the way for a larger role for Abhishek Nayar. A long-time KKR associate from 2018 to 2024, Nayar rejoined the franchise midway through IPL 2025. He previously had a brief stint as assistant coach with the Indian men’s team before being let go following India’s poor Test performances — including a 3-0 home loss to New Zealand and a 3-1 away defeat in Australia.

More recently, Nayar was appointed head coach of the UP Warriorz for the 2026 Women's Premier League, further solidifying his credentials in the coaching circuit.

As KKR look to rebuild after a turbulent 2025, all eyes will be on their next head coach and the direction the franchise takes ahead of IPL 2026.