In a first-of-its-kind initiative, two-time Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders have launched the KKR Academy. The focus of this academy will be to provide offseason practice and training to the players in the squad.

The Academy had their first session at the Just Cricket Indoor Stadium in Bangalore on Monday.

Venky Mysore, CEO & MD of KKR, in press release said, that the idea of "KKR Academy” was the part of the franchise’s vision and a step towards helping the players to groom their talent, keep peak level fitness and improve their skills in the off-season. KKR has always strived to provide them with a platform to showcase their skills and is just another step in the professionalization of the Knight Rider franchise.

Venky Mysore also announced Abhishek Nayar as the head coach and mentor of the KKR academy. Mysore said, “Abhishek’s credentials as a cricketer and his deep desire & passion to help cricketers become better is very well known. We felt that he’s ideally suited to lead this initiative.”

Abhishek Nayar, on his appointment as the mentor and head coach, said, “I am honored to have been given the role of managing the KKR Academy. KKR has a highly talented set of boys and with this kind of nurturing in the off-season, I am sure they will become better cricketers. I am also thankful to the KKR management for investing in the future of these promising cricketers.”

Omkar Salvi was also announced as the bowling coach at the academy. Omkar was the bowling coach with the Mumbai senior team for the past four seasons.  

Here is the video of the KKR Academy: