Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara is set to potentially succeed Gautam Gambhir as the mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Kumar Sangakkara in line to become KKR's new mentor
According to reports from the Telegraph, discussions are currently underway between the franchise and Sangakkara regarding this role. The position of mentor at KKR became available following Gambhir's recent appointment as the head coach of the Indian National Cricket Team. Gambhir, who took over from Rahul Dravid, stepped into the national team role after India's victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Gautam Gambhir, who served as the mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 and 2023, joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024. His addition proved highly successful, as he guided KKR to victory and helped the team secure their third IPL title. It is worth noting that Gambhir had previously led KKR to two of their title wins during his captaincy. With Gambhir now set to join the Indian national team, his departure will undoubtedly create a significant gap for the Kolkata Knight Riders. To fill this void, the franchise is reportedly considering Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan captain, as his potential successor. According to reports, Sangakkara might be the one to step into the mentor role for KKR.
Kumar Sangakkara set to leave Rajasthan Royals
Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket at Rajasthan Royals since 2021, is reportedly set to leave the franchise. This decision comes on the heels of the team appointing Rahul Dravid as their head coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to reports, Vikram Rathour, who was part of Rahul Dravid's coaching staff in the Indian national team, will also be joining Rajasthan Royals as a coach for the upcoming season. While an official announcement is still pending, it is expected that these changes will take place shortly.
With Rajasthan Royals undergoing coaching changes, Kumar Sangakkara, their former director of cricket, is reportedly considering offers from other IPL franchises. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders are also in need of coaching staff as their current setup has been depleted. Gautam Gambhir, the former KKR captain, and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar have both joined the Indian national team. Additionally, Ryan ten Doeschate has also joined Gambhir's support staff as the fielding coach. Kolkata Knight Riders are reportedly in advanced talks with Kumar Sangakkara, and a decision on his appointment is expected to be made next week. If he joins the defending champions, it would be a significant boost to their coaching team. Sangakkara has a strong reputation as a coach in the IPL, having led Rajasthan Royals to consistent success and playoff appearances.
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