David Wiese, a former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player, revealed there were internal issues between KKR players and head coach Chandrakant Pandit due to differing coaching methods.
In a recent episode of the “Hitman for Hire: A year in the life of a franchise cricketer” podcast, international cricketer David Wiese, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, opened up about internal issues within the team.
Wiese revealed that there were unresolved tensions between players and head coach Chandrakant Pandit, stemming from differences in coaching methods. He described the changing room atmosphere as challenging, with players feeling frustrated by the coach’s strict approach, particularly those accustomed to different coaching styles overseas.
Chandrakant Pandit, a former Indian cricketer with notable Test and ODI appearances, boasts a successful coaching career, steering Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh to Ranji Trophy triumphs.
“There were certain issues going on behind the scenes in the team. Guys weren’t happy with certain things that were going on, and a lot of the times, it was a tough changing room. There was a new coach coming in and he liked to do things a certain way, and that didn’t sit well with the players,” David Wiese said.
“Guys were frustrated because a lot changed, and the coach brought in things that he thought would bring success. But as an overseas player, they sometimes don’t sit well. He’s known in India as a fairly militant type of coach, a strict disciplinarian. The overseas guys who’ve played all over the world don’t need someone coming in and telling him how to behave and what to wear and what to do. I was chill with it, but there were players more stubborn than me,” he added.
Wiese further disclosed that players shifted their focus to individual performances as their chances of playoff qualification dwindled due to a series of defeats. He highlighted instances of appreciating teammates’ standout performances despite the non-significance of match results.
“As the tournament goes on, you kind of sense whether you have a shot at qualifying or not. It’s not about whether you’re playing; it’s just about spending another couple of weeks away from family. As a player, you appreciate it when guys do well. Rinku Singh smacks five sixes – you can’t not appreciate that. It’s just that the result doesn’t have much emphasis anymore. You don’t sit there nervous about whether you’re going to win. And you start investing in the guys’ personal performances instead,” Wiese concluded.
Last Updated on March 27, 2024
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