Kolkata Knight Riders Part Ways with Coach Chandrakant Pandit After Disappointing IPL 2025 Season

KKR Ends Coaching Tenure with Chandrakant Pandit

After two years of leadership, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially parted ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, following a disappointing performance in the IPL 2025 season. The franchise announced this decision on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a coaching period filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

Pandit, who is highly respected in Indian domestic cricket, was brought on board before the IPL 2023 season with the aim of instilling discipline and structure in a team that had struggled with consistency. However, his inaugural season was far from ideal, as KKR finished seventh in the standings, grappling with injuries to key players like captain Shreyas Iyer, which hindered the team's ability to find its rhythm.

A turnaround occurred in 2024 when Iyer returned to captaincy, and franchise icon Gautam Gambhir rejoined as a mentor. Under Pandit's guidance, KKR not only clinched their third IPL title but also achieved their highest points total and net run rate in the league phase, signaling a potential new era of success.

A Season of Decline

However, the glory was short-lived. The 2025 season saw a dramatic decline in performance. Following a high-stakes mega auction, KKR struggled to replicate the previous year's cohesion. Despite having a promising roster, the team managed to win only five out of 14 matches, finishing in eighth place—marking their worst performance in IPL history. With two games left in the season, they were already eliminated from playoff contention.

Behind the scenes, tensions reportedly grew between the team's management and some senior players. The rigidity that once contributed to their success became a hindrance in the rapidly evolving T20 landscape.

The franchise confirmed the news on Tuesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has chosen to pursue new challenges and will not remain Head Coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.”

They added, “We appreciate his rich inputs—taking KKR to IPL Championship in 2024 and assisting the team in developing a robust and tough team. His leadership and discipline have had a lasting impression on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

While the statement framed the departure as mutual, it is clear that the disappointing 2025 season weighed heavily on the franchise. In elite T20 leagues like the IPL, success is fleeting, and the demand for adaptation is relentless.

Chandrakant Pandit leaves behind a mixed legacy, characterized by a championship run and subsequent struggles. As KKR seeks a new coaching direction for IPL 2026, Pandit may also benefit from exploring new opportunities that align with his strengths as a disciplinarian and motivational leader.

Only time will reveal the future paths for both parties, but a significant chapter in the KKR narrative has now concluded.