IPL 2026: CSK to appoint former India bowling coach as KKR part ways with Chandrakant Pandit

Jaw-dropping news has arrived regarding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) decide to part ways with their head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, as the official website of the franchise has revealed in a social media post. Moreover, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to sign a new bowling coach.

The five-time champions, who had a poor time in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the points table, are set to hire the former bowling coach of India, Bharat Arun, who will work with the current captain and coach, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Stephen Fleming, respectively. The reports have claimed that Arun will join the franchise and work with MS Dhoni in the development of the bowlers.

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It was a very average season with the ball for the Super Kings, who couldn’t do well either in the power play, middle overs, or the death overs. Matheesha Pathairana, the young Sri Lankan pacer, didn’t have an impressive season with the ball, which saw the joint-successful team fluster in crunch situations. Even MS Dhoni’s magic in leadership couldn’t save them from the issue.

IPL 2026: Chandrakant Pandit leaves KKR as CSK to hire Bharat Arun

‘Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue as the head coach of the 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.’ KKR released a statement.

We wish you the best for your future endeavours, Chandu Sir 🤗

PS: Once a Knight, always a Knight. Kolkata will always be your home 💜 pic.twitter.com/GF0LxX5fIz

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 29, 2025

Under the head coach with the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata became the champions of the IPL 2024 in the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. But after Iyer departed from the side and Gambhir became the India head coach, the side received a huge blow as they had to make Ajinkya Rahane their new leader.

Apart from Pandit, the reports have also stated that their bowling coach, Dwayne Bravo, is also set to leave the franchise before the new season. Bravo, apart from IPL, is also the bowling consultant of the KKR franchise in the MLC for the Los Angeles Knight Riders.