<p>The England Cricket Board (ECB) has been on the hunt for a new coach for quite some period of time since their 2022 T20 World Cup-winning coach <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Mott">Matthew Mott</a> stepped down from coaching the English national team, after their humiliating losses in the World Cup 2023 and the semi-final loss in their title defence during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Mott-from-T20-World-Cup-2022.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145436" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mott from t20 world cup 2022 (Image: ESPNcricinfo)</figcaption></figure>
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<p></p>



<p>On the other hand, former Indian veteran batter, Rahul Dravid stepped down from India?s head coach role as a national hero. He not only led India to a successful final in the World Cup 2023, where they entered undefeated before losing in the final to the Aussies. <br><br>Later in the T20 World Cup 2024, also under Gambhir and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, India went into the finals undefeated despite a roller-coaster ride throughout the tournament. In the final as well, India pulled the match from nowhere, as he succeeded in leading them to an iconic victory for the second time since the inaugural T20 World Cup played in 2007. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Dravid-and-Team-India-Cup.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145437" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dravid with team India in T20 World Cup (Image: India Today)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Now, Gautam Gambhir has been placed for the Indian team as their head coach after Dravid stepped down. Dravid was initially linked with the Kolkata Knight Riders, as he was supposed to take the place of the mentor, which Gambhir had left vacant. </p>



<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-hopes-for-mohammad-shamis-probable-return-good-for-the-men-in-blue-with-the-champions-trophy-and-wtc-final-coming-up-the-following-year/">India hopes for Mohammad Shami?s probable return</a><br><br>However, some recent reports suggest that Rahul Dravid will take over as Rajasthan Royals? head coach from the upcoming season of the IPL, as the former veteran, is about to return to his years old franchise. <br><br>The Lankan veteran, Kumara Sangakara, who is the World?s second-highest run-getter in the wide pool of international cricketers, had had the best of seasons with Rajasthan Royals. The Royals, who had never been the side that won the inaugural season in 2008, were revived with Sangakara?s coming. </p>



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<p><br>Sangakara, built a formidable side, as he led them to successive playoffs, his first full season was in 2022, where they entered the finals and lost to Gujarat Titans while their latest legacy was in the Qualifier 2 loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Sangakkara.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145438" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sangakkara has seen inevitable success with the Royals - identifying talents like Riyan Parag (Image: Quora) </figcaption></figure>
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<p><br>Reports also suggest that the Royals Director of Cricket position will be taken over by Dravid, and likely Kumara Sangakara is to be linked as England?s white-ball coach. Though nothing has been confirmed by either the Royals or the ECB, McCullum who remains England?s red-ball coach might find Sangakara as his colleague for the ECB, if reports are to be believed.<br></p>

Rahul Dravid is likely to make a comeback with Rajasthan Royals and Kumara Sangakkara is likely to join ECB as their white-ball coach

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<p><strong>IPL 2025</strong>: The Indian Premier League 2024 saw the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) perform to the best of their standards, with some crucial changes to the squad under legendary franchise veteran player turned mentor, Gautam Gambhir. <br><br>Gambhir was seen in the IPL as a mentor with the Lucknow Super Giants since their debut in the tournament in 2022, while next he was roped into the KKR side ahead of the 2024 IPL mini-auction. Gambhir took some unconventional calls, like making a huge bid of 24.75 crores INR on World Cup-winning bowler, Mitchell Starc. <br><br>After their IPL triumph, Gambhir was approached as a national replacement for Team India's head coach, replacing the likes of T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid. KKR has been in the quest for a new mentor since Gambhir turned team India head coach. <br><br>Likely, some reports from the Indian newspaper Telegraph suggest that Royals Director of Cricket, Kumara Sangakara is in talks of being appointed as KKR mentor. Recently, Rahul Dravid was reported to be coming in as the head coach of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan_Royals">Rajasthan Royals</a>. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Rinku Singh</h2>



<p>The Kolkata Knight Riders star Rinku Singh has been a part of the franchise for a long time, as Rinku will also be seen in a role this time around as well. The batter has been a recognised talent even for the Men in Blues and can currently be seen captaining the Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League. <br><br>Alongside his aggressive batting and six-hitting capacity in the role of a finisher, Rinku has also evolved to be a bowler with wicket-taking abilities. A seemingly too low a price of 55lakhs, for a player of his calibre is what would add to him being retained. </p>



<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/from-musheer-khans-hundred-at-debut-to-axar-patels-standout-performance-all-about-duleep-trophy-day-1/">From Musheer Khan?s hundred at debut to Axar Patel?s standout performance?All about Duleep Trophy Day 1</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Sunil Narine </h2>



<p>Kolkata?s MVP, most-valuable player Sunil Narine will be again retained for sure as he has always been since his debut in 2012 for the franchise. The player's all-around capacity to bat up the order and make full use of the powerplay, alongside being the most economical spinners in World t20, makes him the best for the role of an all-rounder. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/09/Narine-KKR.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146698" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sunil Narine will be one among the retained players (Image Credit: SportsMax)</figcaption></figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Phil Salt </h2>



<p>Though KKR will be in dilemma over Andre Russel their marquee player, skipper Shreyas Iyer as well as bowling sensation Harshit Rana, still English opener Phil Salt might be given the upper hand if Sangakara?s preferences are to be trusted. <br><br>Phil Salt has performed highly in the IPL 2024, as he scored many runs up the order for Knight Riders alongside Narine. Salt has recently been appointed as the T20I skipper for an injured English skipper <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos_Buttler">Jos Buttler</a>.<br></p>

IPL 2025: 3 Players who might be retained by KKR if Sangakara turns in as their mentor replacing Gambhir|

IPL 2025: 3 Players who might be retained by KKR if Sangakara turns in as their mentor replacing Gambhir

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<p>The defending champions KKR, have not had a dilemma over their players as much as they had over the appointment of a new mentor who would replace the likes of franchise veteran Gautam Gambhir. <br> <br>Gambhir had already won two IPL trophies back in 2012 and 2014 as a player and captain of the side. Later he was appointed the mentor in the 2024 IPL, and the maestro was back with amazing results. <br> <br>His seemingly unconventional antics surprised many as he picked Starc for a whopping INR 24.75 crore. However, the way Starc played in the playoff games seemed to be a likely decision made by the master strategist. <br> <br>However, after India?s head coach Rahul Dravid stepped down from his role after the T20 World Cup success, Gambhir was appointed as the Indian team's head coach, thus leaving a void in the KKR camp.<br> <br>Gambhir?s exit also meant the exit of assistant coaches <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_ten_Doeschate">Ryan ten Doeschate</a> and Abhishek Nayar, who Gambhir wanted as his deputies in the Indian team. Hence, KKR are now in the hunt for a head coach alongside Chandrakant Pandit before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. </p>



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#lets-take-a-look-at-the-top-3-stars-whom-kkr-might-appoint-as-their-mentors">Let?s take a look at the Top 3 stars whom KKR might appoint as their mentors:</a><ul><li class=""><a href="#kumara-sangakara">Kumara Sangakara </a></li><li class=""><a href="#jacques-kallis">Jacques Kallis</a></li><li class=""><a href="#ricky-ponting">Ricky Ponting</a></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="lets-take-a-look-at-the-top-3-stars-whom-kkr-might-appoint-as-their-mentors">Let?s take a look at the Top 3 stars whom KKR might appoint as their mentors:</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="kumara-sangakara">Kumara Sangakara </h3>



<p>The Royals' head coach and their director of cricket for teams across all competitions, Kumara Sangakara, were seen in the RR camp from 2022 to 2024. After Rahul Dravid was announced to be the new head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, Sangakara was speculated to be appointed as the KKR mentor replacing Gambhir. <br> <br>However, now the buzz has been that the Lankan legend will resume his role as the Royals Director of Cricket for the Royals teams across all global tournaments, which also includes the Barbados Royals and the Paarl Royals. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="jacques-kallis">Jacques Kallis</h3>



<p>Protea legend and former KKR boss was seen playing for KKR in their 2012 title triumph and was seen as both a player and coach in 2014 when the team won the title for the second time. Kallis, the veteran all-rounder, is considered the greatest of his kind the world has ever witnessed. <br> <br>His employment as the mentor might strengthen their strategies in both the batting and bowling departments. He has had earlier experience in the role as he was appointed the mentor back in 2016. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/09/Is-the-KKR-legend-returning-to-the-franchise-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-146847" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Is the KKR legend back to the franchise (Image Credit: Deccan Chronicle)</figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong> <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/after-jamie-smiths-quickfire-performance-at-no-7-in-tests-the-young-englishman-draws-parallels-with-aussie-legend/">After Jamie Smith?s quickfire performance at no.7 in Tests, the young Englishman draws parallels with Aussie legend</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="ricky-ponting">Ricky Ponting</h3>



<p>Ricky Ponting had stepped down from being the Delhi Capitals mentor after the 2024 IPL season. However, he has often shown interest in returning to the IPL as a coach or a mentor. <br> <br>Ponting was earlier seen as the Mumbai Indians coach and then later in the Delhi hut as well. The 2-times World Cup-winning skipper for Australia is known to be one of the world?s finest cricket strategists. <br> <br>Though nothing has been official, the Kolkata Knight Riders are looking to fancy their chances before the IPL 2025 auction, as he might seek a crucial place.<br></p>

IPL 2025: 3 stars whom KKR might appoint as their mentors after Gambhir turned India head coach||

IPL 2025: 3 stars whom KKR might appoint as their mentors after Gambhir turned India head coach

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A cautious start, an explosive surge in the middle overs, and a finish that blazed briefly before fading for CSK. Chahal's sensational hat-trick and a solid all-round batting effort propelled PBKS to the second spot on the IPL 2025 Points Table.

CSK vs PBKS: Chahal's Hattrick and Shreyas Iyer's Carnage Classed CSK at Chepauk! PBKS defeated CSK by 4 wickets

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Ajinkya Rahane got injured in the 12th over when he was fielding at the covers.

Ajinkya Rahane ruled out of the IPL 2025 with a finger injury? Reports drop the massive claim

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Indian squad for the Test series against England is all set to be picked by the 2nd week of May.

Rohit Sharma to continue as captain in England Tests, BCCI shortlists 35 players

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Once called their castle, Chennai Super Kings’ home ground at Chepauk has been their weakest limb in this edition of the IPL. In this season, CSK has lost four times at home, and hence, Punjab Kings might also look to join the trend and enjoy their success at this iconic venue. 

IPL 2025 PBKS vs CSK Match Prediction: A big opportunity awaits the Punjab Kings as they take on CSK in their own fortress at Chepauk

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KKR edged out DC by 14 runs in Delhi, thanks to Narine’s brilliance. The win reshuffled the IPL points table and intensified the Orange and Purple Cap battles.

kumara sangakara