The three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders parted ways with Chandrakant Pandit, along with their bowling coach Bharat Arun, ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

Pandit, who joined as KKR coach in August 2022 ahead of the 2023 season, guided the franchise to their 3rd title in the 2024 season, but could not repeat the feat in the last season, where they got eliminated before the playoffs.

“Chandrakant Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue as Head Coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. We are thankful for his invaluable contributions – including leading KKR to the TATA IPL Championship in 2024 and helping build a strong, resilient squad. His leadership and discipline have left a lasting impact on the team,” said KKR in a statement.

“We wish him all the very best for the future,” the statement added.

This was Chandrakant Pandit’s maiden IPL stint and was also KKR’s Indian head coach as he teamed up with bowling coach Bharat Arun and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.

Even in his maiden season as coach of KKR, the franchise failed to make it to the playoffs.

In 2025, KKR picked Venkatesh Iyer for a whooping INR 23.75 crore. However, the all-rounder failed to set the stage on fire, disappointing with both bat and ball.

Chandrakant Pandit was believed to be exceptional in getting Venkates Iyer on board as he knew him from a long time, having coached him earlier at Madhya Pradesh.

Venkatesh Iyer was named appointed as the vice-captain with Rahane named as the captain.

However, the campaign in the IPL 2025 did not ended in the side’s favour as they got knocked out of the tournament in group stages.