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'Completely Different Personalities,' Harbhajan Predicts Rift In KKR With Cheeky Remark

Soumyajit Dutta

DJ Bravo and Harbhajan Singh [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]DJ Bravo and Harbhajan Singh [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter IPL 2025 with a revamped coaching staff, sparking intrigue over how contrasting philosophies will mesh. Following Gautam Gambhir’s exit, the franchise roped in Caribbean icon Dwayne Bravo as a mentor.

While Bravo’s Trinidadian swagger and T20 pedigree brought from CSK promise tactical innovation, Chandrakant Pandit’s rigid routines, honed in domestic cricket, anchor KKR’s traditional ethos. Adding to the transition is Ajinkya Rahane’s surprise appointment as captain, replacing Shreyas Iyer. 

Harbhajan Takes Cheeky Dig At KKR's Coaching Duo

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh spotlighted the potential friction between Bravo and Pandit and hilariously took a dig at the potential clash.

“They are two completely different personalities—one who wakes up at 5 AM, the other who goes to sleep at 6 AM. So, we'll have to see how they combine and work together,” Harbhajan Singh said to ESPN Cricinfo.

Notably, Bravo thrives on instinctive, aggressive cricket. Pandit, meanwhile, is famed for micromanaging players’ diets, curfews, and practice drills, technically, the two sides of a coin.

Harbhajan On Rahane's Captaincy

Harbhajan also questioned Rahane’s leadership utility and argued that Narine, Russell Or Venkatesh Iyer could have been a better choice.

“If KKR have picked Rahane only for captaincy, then I feel that job could have been done by someone else, like Narine, Russell, or Venky [Iyer].”

The veteran batter’s batting position remains unclear. With openers and Venkatesh Iyer settled, and power hitters like Rinku Singh and Russell dominating the middle order, Harbhajan suggested Rahane’s best fit is No. 3.

“If KKR lose an early wicket, then I can see a role for Rahane. But if he has to bat after 12-13 overs, that is not his strength.”

KKR’s Core Retained, Campaign Begins March 22

Despite losing Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana, KKR retained match-winners like Sunil Narine, Russell, and Rinku Singh. Their season opens against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on March 22. 

With a mix of power hitters like Andre Russell and young talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, KKR’s batting strategy hinges on balancing Rahane’s classical style with the team’s explosive DNA.