Three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, on August 17 (Wednesday) named former India cricketer Chandrakant Pandit as their new head coach. Pandit, who was the architect behind Madhya Pradesh's 2021-22 Ranji Trophy triumph, will succeed Brendon McCullum as the coach of KKR. McCullum left KKR's coaching assignment earlier in the year and became England's Test team coach.
"It’s a great honour and privilege to be given this responsibility," Chandrakant Pandit said in a statement released by KKR.
"I have heard from players and others who have been associated with the Knight Riders, about the family culture, as well as the tradition of success that has been created. I am excited about the quality of the support staff and the players who are part of the set up and I am looking forward to this opportunity with all humility and positive expectations," he added.
The 60-year-old, who has played five Tests and 36 ODIs for India, has proven himself to be a champion strategist during his legendary coaching career. He has won six Ranji Trophy titles - three with Mumbai (2002-03, 2003-04 and 2015-16), two with Vidarbha (2017-18 and 2018-19) and this year with Madhya Pradesh (2021-22).
Pandit also won India's premier domestic competition twice (983-84 and 1984-85) while playing for Mumbai.
"We are very excited that Chandu (Chandrakant Pandit) is joining the Knight Riders family to lead us through the next phase of our journey. His deep commitment to what he does and his track record of success in domestic cricket, is there for everyone to see. We are looking forward to his partnership with our skipper Shreyas Iyer, which promises to be an exciting one,” Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR said in the release.
KKR failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2022. With seven wins in 14 matches, the franchise finished seventh in the standings.
