Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) new head coach Abhishek Nayar, on Wednesday, named the arrival of Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a “blessing in disguise”, as they look to regroup after a poor last season and aim for a fourth IPL title as well.
Addressing the squad during their first training session at the Eden Gardens, Nayar said: “Blessing, you are a blessing in disguise for us.”
However, Nayar was appointed as head coach ahead of IPL 2026 after KKR parted ways with Chandrakant Pandit following an eighth-place finish last season as well.
“I know so far we’ve sort of folded you in the bus, but it’s great to have you, the tallest member ever to be part of this KKR team. So welcome, I hope you have a great time with us and you enjoy the company of our boys,” Nayar said.
Muzarabani, who claimed 13 wickets in the T20 World Cup to finish joint second-highest, including a match-winning 4/17 against Australia as well. The Zimbabwe pacer, who has more than 200 international wickets, is yet to make his IPL debut despite having a previous stint with RCB as a replacement player in 2025 for Lungi Ngidi.
KKR, which finished eighth last season, started their campaign under a different support staff with Nayar as head coach, Shane Watson as assistant, and Tim Southee as bowling coach, while Dwayne Bravo continues as mentor as well.
Setting the tone for the season, Nayar opined on the importance of mindset over skill.
“We’re ready for everything” – Abhishek Nayar
“We have had a lot of discussions, we have spoken a lot. For me, what happens here is how we tune what’s between our ears. The skill is there, that’s not going to change in the next 10 days,” he shared.
“But what changes is our mentality. So every moment that we spend on this ground, every moment we spend with each other, with the coaches, amongst ourselves, there’s one goal. We have to do one thing, we have to win, we have to get that fourth star. And we do everything to prepare our minds before our body actually arrives the first game on the March 29 (against Mumbai Indians in Wankhede). We prepare here, we use this time to talk to each other, communicate, get stronger as a group. So we’re ready for everything,” he further added.
Abhishek Nayar also welcomed Shane Watson, talking about the value of his experience to the group.
“I’ve known him as someone who has played under him as a player, really happy Watto to have you with us. tap into his experience, you will learn a lot. We’ve had a lot of good coaches but I’m pretty sure Shane Watson is going to add a lot of value to us.”
However, KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians on March 29.
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