New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on Wednesday, appointed former wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik as the fielding coach of the franchise ahead of IPL 2026. In a statement, the franchise said that the Yagnik brings in a wealth of experience and an eye for fielding excellence to the team.
The Knight Riders are set to enter the new edition of the IPL with a fresh and new support staff unit led by Abhishek Nayar, who was named the head coach earlier. Apart from Nayar, DJ Bravo (mentor), Shane Watson (assistance coach), Tim Southee (bowling coach) and Andre Russell (power coach) add to the freshness of the unit.
‘Yagnik is set to bring a wealth of experience and a sharp eye for fielding excellence to KKR, with the franchise set to enter the IPL with a fresh, new-look support staff unit led by Abhishek Nayar (head coach), DJ Bravo (mentor) Shane Watson (assistant coach), Tim Southee (bowling coach) and Andre Russell (power coach),’ KKR said in a statement.
‘Yagnik’s transition to KKR ahead of the upcoming IPL marks an exciting new chapter in the former cricketer’s coaching journey,’ added KKR.
Who is Dishant Yagnik?
Dishant Yagnik is a former Indian cricket and coach who predominantly functioned as a wicketkeeper-batter in his playing days. Yagnik had a superlative domestic career with Rajasthan and was also a member of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise in the IPL. He also made 25 appearances in the cash-rich league between the years 2011 and 2014. Since his retirement, Yagnik has continued to be a part of the cash-rich tournament as fielding coach across many editions.
Kolkata Knight Riders, which is the defending champion in the IPL, having won the title for the maiden time in the 2025 edition, was recently in news after they were directed by the BCCI to remove their player Mustafizur Rahman from the team amid the recent India-Bangladesh political turmoil.
The IPL 2026 is set to be held in the March 26 to May 31 window.