Kolkata: In a significant move, the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders has announced the departure of head coach Chandrakant Pandit. The decision comes at the end of a challenging 2025 season that saw KKR underperform, marking the end of Pandit's two-year tenure with the team.
Pandit, celebrated for steering KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, witnessed a downturn in team performance this year, with the squad finishing in eighth place. This equals KKR's lowest-ever finish 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," the team announced 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," read the statement.
Pandit, a revered figure in Indian domestic cricket, took over as KKR's head coach before the 2023 season. Despite missing regular captain Shreyas Iyer due to injury, the team finished seventh that year.
The subsequent year, 2024, saw a resurgence for KKR, with Iyer back as captain and franchise legend Gautam Gambhir returning as a mentor. Under Pandit's guidance, KKR clinched the championship, recording the highest points tally and the best net run rate (NRR) in their IPL history.
Nonetheless, the success was fleeting. In 2025, KKR struggled post-mega auction, winning only five of their 14 league matches and exiting playoff contention with two matches remaining.
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