Chandrakant Pandit liked to do things certain way, which didn't sit well with players: Ex-KKR all-rounder David Wiese

After Brendon McCullum took over the role as the head coach of England’s Test team, Kolkata Knight Riders replaced the former New Zealand international with Chandrakant Pandit, going by his success as a coach in domestic cricket. He guided Mumbai (2016-17), Vidarbha (2018-19, 2019-20) and Madhya Pradesh (2021-22) to win the Ranji Trophy previously and by bringing him into the set-up, KKR wanted to challenge for their third title in the 2023 edition of the coveted tournament.

However, the two-time winners failed to qualify for the Playoffs as they finished seventh on the points table. Speaking about their poor showing in the tournament, David Wiese, who was a part of the 2023 squad, revealed that the players in the dressing room were extremely unhappy with the coaching methods of Pandit and that reflected on the pitch. Wiese mentioned that the head coach wanted to do things in a certain way, that wasn’t appreciated by the players.

“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 on a podcast hosted by Sam Keir.

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Guys were frustrated because a lot changed: Wiese

The 38-year-old added the players in the locker room were frustrated with some of Pandit’s decisions and mentioned that his personality as a militant type of coach didn’t sit well with the overseas players as they didn’t enjoy someone them what to wear or how to behave.

“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.