Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have experienced a remarkable resurgence under the guidance of coach Chandrakant Pandit, culminating in their third IPL title in 2024. However, former KKR player David Wiese has raised concerns about Pandit's coaching style, alleging that it created a tense atmosphere within the team.Wiese, in an interview with the 'Hitman for Hire' podcast, claimed that "guys weren't happy with certain things that were going on" under Pandit's leadership. He described the changing room as "tough" and suggested that Pandit's strict disciplinary approach did not sit well with some players.In contrast, England opener Philip Salt, who played for KKR in IPL 2024, has praised Pandit's coaching abilities. Salt emphasized that Pandit "reads a room very well" and knows how to motivate and discipline players effectively. He also revealed that he has a "great relationship" with the coach.Despite the contrasting views on Pandit's coaching style, KKR's success under his leadership cannot be denied. The team has won the IPL title twice in the past three seasons, and Salt played a crucial role in their 2024 triumph.However, Salt expressed disappointment at being recalled by England before the IPL playoffs. He felt that he had unfinished business with KKR and wanted to contribute to their title victory. Despite his absence, KKR went on to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

Kolkata Knight Riders' triumph in the IPL 2024 season has been attributed to the astute guidance of mentor Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, a former KKR captain who led the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the franchise as a mentor ahead of the 2024 season. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit proved to be a winning formula.KKR fast bowler Harshit Rana recently defended Gambhir's role in the team's success, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the franchise. Rana highlighted that Gambhir had sacrificed his political career to focus solely on KKR's victory."Gambhir Bhaiya left his political career and everything behind for KKR. He left politics and came back to KKR, and he worked day and night hard just to make KKR win the trophy. He is so involved in KKR. I am genuinely telling you that he did his best to win this trophy. He left everything just to win the KKR trophy. So, sir, why shouldn't he get this honour?" Rana said in an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Gambhir's influence extends beyond the KKR dressing room. He is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Dravid's tenure will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, and media reports suggest that Gambhir has agreed to take over the role after the BCCI accommodated his requests."We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup," a BCCI source told Dainik Bhaskar.KKR's success in IPL 2024 was built on a strong foundation in the league stage, where they topped the standings. They capped off their impressive campaign with a victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Triumph: Gautam Gambhir's Strategic Brilliance and Humorous InterruptionFollowing Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) triumphant victory in the IPL 2024 final, head coach Chandrakant Pandit commenced his customary post-match address in the jubilant dressing room. However, the celebratory atmosphere took an unexpected turn when team mentor Gautam Gambhir interjected with a humorous remark."Ladke pagal ho rahe hai dance karne ke liye," Gambhir quipped with a wry smile, suggesting that the players were eager to break into dance. The video of this witty interruption has since gone viral, capturing the unusually jovial mood of Gambhir.Gambhir's influence on KKR's success cannot be overstated. As captain, he led the team to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His return to the franchise as a mentor ahead of the 2024 season proved pivotal in guiding KKR to their third IPL triumph, ending a decade-long wait.Gambhir's strategic acumen has been widely praised. Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody commended Gambhir's impact on ESPNcricinfo, saying, "His ability to just get the ship in the right direction is crucial. He is very clear in what he believes the dressing room needed to go, the personnel that needed to be in that playing XI, and the likes of Narine being back to the top of the order again."Moody emphasized that Gambhir's clarity and stability brought significant positive changes to KKR, addressing the confusion and inconsistency that had plagued the team in previous seasons. "A lot of things have just worked perfectly for KKR this year, in a positive way. I think Gambhir should be given a huge amount of credit for his impact as a leader. He has created stability and clarity that is the most important thing," Moody added.With Gambhir's arrival, KKR clinched their third Indian Premier League title in 2024. His strategic influence and leadership were instrumental in transforming the team's fortunes. The season saw KKR overcoming previous challenges and inconsistencies, culminating in a memorable victory.

Chandrakant Pandit, the mastermind behind Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) maiden IPL triumph, has revealed the secrets to his coaching success. After guiding Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh to Ranji titles, Pandit has now etched his name in IPL history.In an exclusive interview, Pandit emphasized the importance of discipline and respect for the game. "I always believe in discipline. There's a routine that I always follow. Respecting the game is most important. I don't go above the game, and never allow the others to do that," he said.Despite facing criticism from some players for his "dictatorial" style, Pandit remained steadfast in his approach. "I always stick to my style of working. I don't get distracted or react to that because you cannot keep everyone happy," he explained.Pandit acknowledged the role of mentor Gautam Gambhir in KKR's victory. "His presence in the dugout was a great motivation for everyone. It was a great boost for us. He came in with a lot of cricketing experience. He's been a part of the IPL for so many years. We took all the decisions collectively," he said.Pandit praised KKR captain Shreyas Iyer for his leadership qualities. "I would give a lot of credit to Shreyas. He's been a fantastic captain, very calm and cool. He was receptive to our suggestions and handled the team well on and off the field. With KKR, he showed the qualities which make him worthy for India captaincy in the future," he said.Pandit also highlighted the contributions of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and spin-bowling coach Carl Crowe. "Nayar's contribution was huge, while Arun and Crowe deserve credit for the bowlers' fine show," he said.Pandit's coaching philosophy revolves around creating a positive and supportive environment for his players. "I always try to create a good atmosphere in the team. I want the players to feel comfortable and confident. I believe in giving them the freedom to express themselves," he said.Pandit's success as a coach is a testament to his unwavering belief in discipline, respect, and teamwork. His ability to motivate and inspire his players has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in Indian cricket.

Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has expressed his positive experience working with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, despite recent criticism from former KKR player David Wiese.Wiese had criticized Pandit's coaching style as "militant" in a recent podcast, claiming that it had caused dissatisfaction among players. However, Gambhir, who joined KKR this season, has a different perspective."I have not heard about any criticism," Gambhir said. "It's been early days, and my working relationship with him has been really very good. Hopefully, it will continue that way."Gambhir acknowledged Pandit's successful track record in Indian domestic cricket, particularly with Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. He believes that Pandit's experience is valuable for KKR."Whatever has been said, I have no clue about it," Gambhir added. "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."Gambhir's comments are in contrast to Wiese's, who claimed that Pandit's strict discipline and authoritarian approach did not sit well with some overseas players. However, Gambhir has not witnessed any such issues.KKR all-rounder Andre Russell has also praised Pandit, saying that he has been doing an "amazing job."Despite the contrasting views, it remains to be seen how Pandit's coaching style will ultimately impact KKR's performance in the upcoming IPL season.

Andre Russell, the explosive all-rounder, has come to the defense of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who has faced criticism for his coaching style. Former KKR all-rounder David Wiese had labeled Pandit's approach as "militant," suggesting it led to frustration among foreign players in the team during the previous IPL season.However, Russell, a key figure in KKR's squad, offered a contrasting perspective. "We've been working with him from last year. I think when you're working with a coach for the first time, you have to make sure that you adjust to their philosophy. There have to be rules. We are professionals. So, we don't complain," Russell said during a pre-match press meet in Bengaluru."I try to do the best for this franchise. He's been doing an amazing job, and we've gotten coming back as well," he added.Pandit, known for his disciplinarian approach, took over as KKR coach before IPL 2022 following Brendon McCullum's departure. Wiese had criticized Pandit's strict and regimented style, suggesting it clashed with the mindset of experienced overseas players.Russell, however, emphasized the importance of adapting to the coach's philosophy and maintaining professionalism. "He (Pandit) is known in India as a very militant type of coach. He is very strict, very disciplinarian that type of stuff," Wiese had said on the podcast 'Hitman for Hire: A year in the life of a franchise cricketer.'"Sometimes in franchise cricket, when you have overseas guys, who've played all over the world, they don't need anyone coming and telling them how they need to behave, what they need to wear and what they need to do the whole time. So, that was tough."Despite Wiese's concerns, Russell's support for Pandit suggests that the KKR dressing room is not as divided as some may have believed. The team will be hoping to put the coaching controversy behind them and focus on performing well in the upcoming IPL season.

Chandrakant Pandit, a legendary figure in Indian domestic cricket, has faced criticism from some overseas players during his tenure as coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.According to David Wiese, an all-rounder who played for KKR in three matches this season, there were "certain issues going on behind the scenes" within the team. Wiese revealed that some players were unhappy with Pandit's coaching style, describing the dressing room atmosphere as "tough.""There was a new coach coming in and he liked to do things a certain way, and that didn't sit well with the players," Wiese said on the 'Hitman for Hire: A year in the life of a franchise cricketer' podcast hosted by Sam Keir.Wiese further explained that Pandit's strict disciplinary approach did not resonate with some of the overseas players who have extensive experience playing in various leagues around the world. "He's 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 him how to behave and what to wear and what to do," he added.Despite the challenges, Wiese remained positive about his time with KKR, acknowledging the team's fighting spirit despite missing some key players. He also praised the performance of Rinku Singh, who impressed with his power-hitting abilities."As a player, you appreciate it when guys do well. Rinku Singh smacks five sixes - you can't not appreciate that," Wiese said. "It's just that the result doesn't have much emphasis anymore. You don't sit there nervous about whether you're going to win. And you start investing in the guys' personal performances instead."Pandit's coaching style has been a topic of discussion in the past, with some players praising his attention to detail and discipline, while others have expressed concerns about his strict approach. It remains to be seen how KKR will perform under Pandit's leadership in the future, but the team's recent struggles have raised questions about the compatibility between his coaching style and the expectations of overseas players.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer after the star batter's scintillating 95 for Mumbai in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Iyer, who was dismissed for just seven in the first innings, smashed 10 fours and three sixes during his whirlwind knock.Pandit, who will join forces with Iyer during IPL 2024, hailed the KKR skipper for his fearlessness and compared his knock to the World Cup semi-final century. "It was an important innings for Shreyas and he delivered it when it mattered. Although in a different format, his innings resembled the one in the World Cup semifinal here at the Wankhede against New Zealand (he had scored 105 off 70 deliveries then). He is playing good cricket and it was bad luck that he could not score big runs in the last few games," Pandit told Cricbuzz."The fact that he smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes is an indication that he is playing fearlessly and is not changing his style of play. The innings will stand him in good stead," he added.For the unversed, Iyer had smashed 105 off just 70 balls in the ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, also at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.After the Ranji Trophy final, Iyer will associate with Chandrakant Pandit at KKR, having missed the last season of IPL due to an injury.Pandit also hailed Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane for his knock in the second innings, saying that the veteran played the best knock for his side. "I liked his (Musheer) approach and his partnership with Iyer may have made things difficult for Vidrabha. But the best knock I think came from Ajinkya (73). He scored those runs when Umesh Yadav was in the midst of a good spell. Now with so many runs on the board, it will be very difficult for Vidarbha," he concluded.

Mumbai's dominance in the Ranji Trophy final has left Vidarbha facing an insurmountable task. After Mumbai's batting collapse on Monday, Vidarbha's batters failed to capitalize on Tuesday, leaving them with a daunting target of 528 runs.Experts believe that "big stage anxiety" has played a significant role in Vidarbha's underwhelming performance. Chandrakant Pandit and Sulakshan Kulkarni, former Vidarbha coaches, attribute the team's struggles to the pressure of playing in a high-stakes final."Players know that it's not often that one gets such a big stage," said Pandit. "At the back of the mind, players keep thinking about all this. This leads to anxiety and eventually numb nerves."Kulkarni echoed Pandit's assessment, stating that Vidarbha appeared "overawed by the big stage." He also criticized the team's decision to not bat first, which he believes deprived their bowlers of much-needed rest."On Day 1, it was a good pitch for batting," said Kulkarni. "Batting first would have given the Vidarbha bowlers more time to rest."Vidarbha's plan throughout the season has been to bat first and post a big total, but they deviated from this strategy in the final. Kulkarni believes this was a mistake, as it put additional pressure on their bowlers."They made a great comeback after being bowled out for 170 in the first innings against MP in the semifinal," said Kulkarni. "Even more reason they should have batted first here too."With Mumbai's bowlers in top form, Vidarbha's chances of chasing down the target appear slim. The team will need a historic effort to overcome the deficit and claim their first Ranji Trophy title.