Are KKR targeting Jacques Kallis for mentorship after Gambhir's departure?
What's the story
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are reportedly considering former all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, to replace Gautam Gambhir as their team mentor. This development follows Gambhir's departure from the role in July this year, to take up the position of head coach for the Indian men's cricket team. The search for a new mentor is underway, with Kallis being a strong contender due to his previous association with the franchise. Notably, KKR won their third Indian Premier League title in 2024.
Past roles
Kallis's previous contributions to KKR
Kallis is no stranger to the KKR franchise, having been a key player in their 2012 and 2014 IPL victories. His contributions extended beyond the field as well, serving as head coach and batting consultant for the team in 2015. This familiarity with the franchise and its workings could potentially make him a suitable candidate for the mentorship role.
Contenders
Other potential candidates for KKR mentorship
In addition to Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara are also being considered for the mentorship role at KKR. Ponting recently ended his tenure as the Delhi Capitals head coach, while Sangakkara is currently serving as the director of cricket at Rajasthan Royals. However, despite Rahul Dravid joining RR as their new head coach, Sangakkara is expected to continue his current role there.
IPL policies
BCCI yet to announce player retention policy
It is important to note that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet announced its player retention policy. This comes amid reports of disagreements among IPL franchises over the number of retentions allowed before the auction. A meeting held last month between BCCI and IPL team owners, saw divided opinions on issues pertaining to the mega auction and the Impact Player rule.