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Dishant Yagnik Joins KKR as Fielding Coach for IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders have appointed former wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik as their new fielding coach for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Yagnik, who played for Rajasthan Royals, brings extensive playing and coaching experience from the IPL ecosystem. He joins a revamped support staff including Abhishek Nayar, DJ Bravo, and Shane Watson. The KKR squad for 2026 blends retained stars like Sunil Narine with high-profile auction buys like Cameron Green and Rachin Ravindra.

Key Points: KKR Appoints Dishant Yagnik as Fielding Coach for IPL 2026

  • Former RR player appointed coach
  • Brings First-Class & IPL experience
  • Part of new-look KKR support staff
  • Squad features Green, Pathirana, Ravindra
2 min read

IPL: Dishant Yagnik appointed as fielding coach of KKR ahead of 2026 edition

Former wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik named Kolkata Knight Riders' fielding coach ahead of IPL 2026. See KKR's full squad and new support staff.

"Yagnik will bring a wealth of experience and a sharp eye for fielding excellence - KKR Release"

Kolkata, January 21

Former wicketkeeper-batter Dishant Yagnik has been appointed as the fielding coach of the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 edition on Wednesday, according to a release.

The 42-year-old has played 50 First-Class matches, scoring 1754 runs in 83 innings at an average of 24.70. Yagnik has made one century and nine half-centuries.

In List A cricket, the former wicketkeeper-batter has notched up 945 runs in 41 matches and 40 innings at an average of 25.54. Yagnik made two centuries and four half-centuries.

The left-handed batter scored 662 runs in 56 matches and 46 innings in T20 cricket, along with three half-centuries.

He also made appearances for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) between the 2011 and 2014 editions of the IPL. In 25 matches, Yagnik made 170 runs at an average of 17.00. Since his retirement, he has continued to be a part of the IPL ecosystem as a fielding coach across several seasons.

Yagnik will bring a wealth of experience and a sharp eye for fielding excellence to three-time champions 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).

Kolkata Knight Riders full team list for IPL 2026:

Players retained ahead of auction: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Players bought at auction: Cameron Green (Rs 25.20 crore), Finn Allen (Rs 2 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 18 crore), Tejasvi Singh Dahiya (Rs 3 crore), Kartik Tyagi (Rs 30 lakh), Prashant Solanki (Rs 30 lakh), Tim Seifert (Rs. 1.50 crore), Daksh Kamra (Rs 30 lakh), Sarthak Ranjan (Rs 30 lakh), Rahul Tripathi (Rs 75 lakh), Akash Deep (Rs 1 crore), Rachin Ravindra (Rs 2 crore).

Kolkata Knight Riders full squad for IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting appointment. While his playing stats aren't headline-grabbing, being a wicketkeeper gives you a unique perspective on fielding placements and anticipation. Hope he can sharpen our ground fielding, which has been a bit inconsistent. Best of luck to him!
R
Rohit P
The squad looks absolutely lethal on paper! Cameron Green for 25 crore is a big buy, but with him, Narine, Russell, and now Rachin Ravindra... the batting is scary. Fielding will be key to converting this potential into trophies. Yagnik has his work cut out. Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo! 🏆
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Priyanka N
I have a respectful criticism. The coaching staff seems heavily stacked with big names in batting and bowling, but fielding often wins you close matches. I hope Mr. Yagnik is given the same authority and resources. We need to save those extra 20 runs in the field.
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Michael C
As a neutral fan, KKR's strategy is fascinating. Blending experienced Indian coaches like Nayar and Yagnik with global T20 legends. Yagnik's domestic career longevity shows dedication. That kind of work ethic is what you want in a coach.
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Kavya N
So happy to see Rinku Singh retained! He's the heart of the team. On Yagnik sir - sometimes the best coaches aren't the biggest stars as players. They understand the struggle better. Wishing him all the best. Hope he turns our boys into panthers on the field! 😄

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