Former Indian cricketer and current KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has come out in support of KKR’s batting coach Chandrakant Pandit ahead of their next game against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
KKR enters this match fresh off a loss to Chennai Super Kings in their last game. Despite that, they kicked off their campaign with three straight wins and managed to post the second-highest total of the tournament so far.
KKR is coming into the match fresh off a loss to Chennai Super Kings in their last game. Despite that, they kicked off their campaign with three straight wins and managed to post the second-highest total of the tournament so far.
The defeat against CSK was significant, especially because the batters couldn’t perform well, resulting in a modest total of 137, which wasn’t enough for their bowlers to defend. As they prepare for their next match, KKR faces injury concerns with Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana.
Gautam Gambhir Comes Out In Support Chandrakant Pandit Amidst Accusations
Meanwhile, amidst the concerns surrounding KKR, mentor Gautam Gambhir has dismissed rumors criticizing KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who joined the franchise in 2022. Pandit previously coached the Vidarbha cricket team, leading them to two consecutive Ranji Trophy victories in 2018 and 2019. However, he hasn’t replicated that success in the IPL yet.
Under Pandit’s guidance, KKR finished seventh in IPL 2022 and 2023, winning a total of just 12 games over the last two years. Known for his strict and disciplined coaching style, Pandit has earned a reputation as a rigorous and fairly militant coach.
“He (Chandrakant) is known in India as a fairly militant type of coach, a strict disciplinarian. The overseas guys who’ve played all over the world don’t need someone coming in and telling them how to behave what to wear and what to do. I was chill with it, but there were players more stubborn than me” Wiese said on Hitman for Hire podcast.
Gambhir, however, has brushed aside all criticisms, stating that he hasn’t heard any such complaints. He emphasized that his on-field relationship with Pandit has been beneficial so far, and he intends to strengthen it further in the future.
“I have not heard about any criticism. It’s been early days, and my working relationship with him has been really very good. Hopefully, it will continue that way. Whatever has been said, I have no clue about it. I think he has been pretty successful in first-class cricket, and that is the reason why he has got this opportunity. So far, it has been really good working with him.”
