Two-Time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on Wednesday (August 17), appointed multiple-time Ranji Trophy-winning coach Chandrakant Pandit as their new head coach.
He replaced Brendon McCullum in the position starting IPL 2023 after the New Zealander finished with the franchise after IPL 2022, as he took up the head coach role with England men's Test team.
Pandit had recently helped Madhya Pradesh win their maiden Ranji Trophy title. He is one of the most successful coaches in domestic cricket, with six Ranji Trophy titles to his name.
After Pandit won the Ranji Trophy with Madhya Pradesh, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated him for creating his magic once again in domestic cricket. He had also asked on Twitter, "How about a good IPL contract for him?"
Notably, Pandit has openly admitted that he was unwilling to work as an assistant coach in the IPL, which was the reason he hadn’t yet joined any franchise, but once McCullum left the role, KKR filled it up by roping in Pandit.
KKR CEO, Venky Mysore, quoted Pathan’s old tweet mentioning Pandit as coach in IPL by posting: “We were listening to you Irfan Bhai.”
Well, Pathan was quick to notice KKR CEO’s response and he replied with a cheeky tweet, which reads: “Haha Venky bhai????????. Wishing you and Chandu Bhai all the luck. I’m sending you my bank details ;)”
