Kumar Sangakkara set to become KKR mentor for IPL 2025? Check details

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are currently in discussions with Kumar Sangakkara about taking on the role of team mentor. In 2024, KKR appointed Gautam Gambhir as their mentor, a decision that proved highly successful as the team went on to win the coveted IPL trophy. Shortly after, Gambhir was offered and accepted the position of India’s head coach, leaving KKR in search of a new mentor. Kumar Sangakkara, who has been with the Rajasthan Royals since 2021, has made a notable impact in his role. Under his guidance, the Royals reached the IPL final in 2022 and secured a third-place finish in 2024. Sangakkara's leadership has been instrumental in the team's performance, demonstrating his capability as a mentor and strategist.

However, recent reports suggest that former India coach Rahul Dravid is in discussions with the Rajasthan Royals franchise. If Dravid's engagement with the Royals comes to fruition, it could lead to Sangakkara's departure from the team. This potential transition is creating a buzz within the cricketing community, as it could result in significant changes for both franchises. The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched, as it will impact the composition and strategic direction of the IPL teams involved.

Reports indicate that former India batting coach Vikram Rathour may join the Rajasthan Royals, prompting Kumar Sangakkara to contemplate his future with the franchise. According to The Telegraph, Sangakkara, who has been a significant figure with RR since 2021, is reportedly in advanced discussions with Kolkata Knight Riders about a potential mentor role.

Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan international, is evaluating his options as he also has offers from other franchises. With the possibility of Rathour joining RR and changes on the horizon, Sangakkara is considering whether to stay with the Royals or move to a new opportunity. A decision from Sangakkara is anticipated in the coming days, which will determine his next move and impact the coaching dynamics of the involved teams. The developments are closely watched by the cricketing community, as Sangakkara's choice could influence the strategic direction of KKR and other interested franchises.

Kolkata Knight Riders currently have Chandrakanth Pandit as the head coach and Bharat Arun as the bowling coach, but they need to fill additional coaching roles. Following Gautam Gambhir’s move to the Indian team, both batting coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate have also joined the national setup. KKR is actively seeking replacements for these positions to complete their coaching staff.

Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, KKR aims to retain most of their current squad for the upcoming IPL season. Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has expressed this intention during a meeting with the BCCI and other IPL franchises in July. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet finalized its decisions regarding the number of players each team can retain or the use of Right to Match (RTM) cards in the upcoming mega-auction. The final rules and regulations on these aspects will influence KKR's strategy as they prepare for the next edition of the tournament.