Reports: Jacques Kallis to join Kolkata as mentor ahead of IPL 2025

Gautam Gambhir became the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024. With the veteran joining the Indian Team as the Head Coach, the franchise is in search of a new mentor ahead of IPL 2025. The Gambhir mentored KKR became the champions of the latest season and won their third title.

With mega auctions hovering around, reports from Hindustan Times suggest the Kolkata-based franchise is aiming to rope in former South Africa all-rounder, Jacques Kallis as a new mentor. It is worth noting that, Kallis was part of the KKR team in their two IPL triumphs in 2012 and 2014 where Gambhir was captain.

Kallis will not be a new face in KKR’s coaching staff as he held the batting coach’s position in 2015. He later replaced Trevor Bailis after his exit as head coach. To further add, with Gambhir, KKR also gave away their two most cherished assets. The former India opener, summoned Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate to join him in the Indian team’s coaching set-up.

Ricky Ponting is another option in front of KKR

The other two likely options KKR have at their disposal are former Australia skipper, Ricky Ponting and former Sri Lanka skipper, Kumar Sangakkara. Ponting ended his stay with Delhi Capitals mentor and Sangakkara was replaced by Rahul Dravid as the mentor at Rajasthan Royals. Though the veteran might continue with RR as Director of Operations.

KKR had an emphatic IPL 2024 journey, winning nine out of 14 games and being the table toppers. They beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 by eight wickets and reached the finals. Coincidentally, they faced the same opposition in the ultimate clash and won by the same margin as the Qualifier to lift the cup.