KKR and Coach Chandrakant Pandit End Their Partnership After Three Seasons

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially announced that Chandrakant Pandit will not continue as head coach following the conclusion of the 2025 IPL season. Pandit, who took charge in August 2022, has spent three seasons at the helm, guiding the franchise through high expectations and contrasting fortunes. Under his stewardship, KKR celebrated a triumphant return to the top by winning the IPL championship in 2024—marking their first title since 2014. However, the following season proved difficult. KKR struggled throughout the 2025 campaign, finishing eighth in the league standings with just five wins from fourteen matches—a result that matched their joint-worst finish in IPL history.

In their official announcement, the franchise stated that Pandit has opted to “explore new opportunities,” and offered their sincere gratitude for his leadership. They acknowledged his role in building a disciplined, resilient squad and applauded his success in delivering the 2024 title by nurturing team strength and consistency. Across his three-year tenure, KKR played 42 matches under Pandit’s guidance, winning 22 and losing 18, with two games ending as no-results—an overall respectable record, albeit with significant recent disappointment.

With no successor announced yet, attention now turns to who will take over the reins ahead of IPL 2026. The move also saw the departure of long-serving bowling coach Bharat Arun, indicating a broader restructuring within the support staff as the franchise looks to regroup and reestablish its competitive edge.

Chandrakant Pandit’s legacy with KKR will be remembered for blending strategic discipline and revival—bringing back a championship-winning mentality after years of underachievement. As he departs, the team looks ahead to a new coaching era and renewed ambitions.