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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced the departure of head coach Chandrakant Pandit, bringing an end to his two-year tenure with the franchise. The decision follows a disappointing 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign in which KKR finished eighth, equalling their lowest-ever standing in the tournament`s history.
“Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue as Head Coach of Kolkata Knight Riders,” KKR said in a post shared on `X`.
“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 have left a lasting impact on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
We wish you the best for your future endeavours, Chandu Sir 🤗
PS: Once a Knight, always a Knight. Kolkata will always be your home 💜 pic.twitter.com/GF0LxX5fIz
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 29, 2025
Pandit, a highly respected figure in Indian domestic cricket, took over the reins as KKR head coach ahead of the 2023 season. His first year in charge was a challenging one, with the side finishing seventh as regular captain Shreyas Iyer missed the season due to injury.
However, Pandit’s tactical acumen came to the fore in 2024 when Iyer returned to lead the side, and franchise icon Gautam Gambhir joined the setup as mentor. Under this reinvigorated leadership group, KKR delivered a stellar performance, capturing their third IPL title. That season, the team not only lifted the trophy but also recorded its highest-ever points tally and best net run rate, signaling a high point in the franchise`s recent history.
The 2025 season, however, proved to be a sharp downturn. Despite hopes of building on their 2024 success, KKR struggled to find consistency following the mega auction. The team managed just five wins from 14 league games, falling out of playoff contention with two matches still to play. The poor campaign ultimately cast a shadow over Pandit’s otherwise notable contributions.
Pandit’s departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Knight Riders, who now find themselves in search of a new head coach ahead of IPL 2026. With a talented squad and a strong support system in place, the franchise will be eager to recalibrate and return to winning ways.
(With PTI inputs)
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