Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh offered an unusual perspective on the coaching staff of the Kolkata Knight Riders, highlighting the stark contrast between the personalities of Chandrakant Pandit and Dwayne Bravo. Following Gautam Gambhir's departure to coach the Indian cricket team, KKR appointed the renowned West Indies all-rounder Bravo as their mentor. Bravo, who previously served as a bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings, brings extensive T20 experience to the team. He is recognized for his laid-back Caribbean demeanor, in contrast to Pandit, who is known for his strict discipline.

Harbhajan, a former spinner for KKR, emphasized that the defending champions now have a coaching staff characterized by two distinct personalities and lifestyles.

"They are entirely different individuals—one rises at 5 AM, while the other goes to bed at 6 AM. It will be interesting to see how they collaborate and function together," Harbhajan Singh remarked on ESPN Cricinfo.

In addition, KKR has appointed a new captain for the upcoming season, selecting Ajinkya Rahane to lead the team in their title defense, which they previously secured under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.

However, Harbhajan believes that it will be challenging for the management to determine Rahane's batting position, suggesting that the number 3 spot may be his only viable option.

"Rahane will need to navigate his role and position within this batting lineup. KKR has several power hitters lower down the order—Venky Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell—so he cannot bat in those positions. His best opportunity lies at No. 3, as the opening slots are already filled," Harbhajan Singh stated.

‘If KKR have picked Rahane only for captaincy…’

Initially, Rahane was not part of KKR's plans, as he was acquired during the accelerated round of the mega auction. His strong performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and his established leadership skills contributed to his selection as the franchise's captain.

Harbhajan holds a contrasting view regarding KKR's significant decision, suggesting that if Rahane was acquired solely for the purpose of captaincy, the leadership could have been entrusted to another player.

"If KKR selected Rahane exclusively for the captaincy role, I believe that responsibility could have been assumed by others, such as Narine, Russell, or Venky. Should KKR lose an early wicket, I can envision a place for Rahane in the lineup. However, if he is required to bat after the 12th or 13th over, that is not where his strengths lie," he remarked.

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