IPL: Chandrakant Pandit Parts Ways With Kolkata Knight Riders After Three Seasons, Leaves Behind A Lasting Legacy

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and head coach Chandrakant Pandit have officially parted ways, bringing an end to a three-season partnership that saw both triumph and turbulence. The announcement came on Tuesday, July 29, with the franchise confirming that Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue in his role as head coach.

Pandit, a former India wicketkeeper-batter, joined KKR in August 2022 after Brendon McCullum stepped down to take up the role of England Men's Test head coach. His tenure peaked in 2024, when he guided KKR to a long-awaited IPL title, their third overall and first in over a decade, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.

In a heartfelt statement, KKR acknowledged Pandit’s contribution to the team's recent success. “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. We wish him all the very best for the future,” the statement read.

Kolkata Knight Riders' average IPL 2025 campaign

Despite a glorious 2024 campaign, the team struggled in the following season. In IPL 2025, KKR finished a disappointing eighth in the league table, managing to win only five of their 14 matches. Over his three-year stint, Pandit oversaw 42 matches, securing 22 wins and suffering 18 losses, with two no-results.

Known for his disciplinarian coaching style and success in India’s domestic circuit, Pandit brought a traditional, structured approach to KKR, a contrast to McCullum's more aggressive, free-spirited philosophy. His departure marks the end of a transformative chapter for the franchise.

KKR is yet to name a replacement for Pandit, and fans now await news on who will steer the three-time champions into the next phase of their IPL journey.