In a significant addition to their coaching staff, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed former West Indies fast bowler and coach Ottis Gibson as their assistant coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The 55-year-old Barbadian brings a wealth of experience, joining an already strong coaching setup that includes head coach Chandrakant Pandit, mentor Dwayne Bravo, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and spin bowling coach Carl Crowe.
Gibson, who played international cricket for the West Indies, has built an impressive coaching résumé over the years. He has served as England’s bowling coach in two separate stints and has also led teams as head coach of the West Indies (2010-2014) and South Africa (2017-2019), guiding the West Indies to their first T20 World Cup title in 2012. His coaching experience extends to Bangladesh, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and various T20 franchises worldwide.
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KKR’s Backroom Changes Ahead of Title Defence
Gibson’s arrival comes as KKR reshapes its backroom staff following the departure of mentor Gautam Gambhir, who has taken over as head coach of the Indian men’s team. Along with Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate have also moved to the Indian team setup.
Defending champions KKR will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on March 22 with a home match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team will be led by newly appointed captain Ajinkya Rahane, with Venkatesh Iyer as his deputy.
With Gibson’s appointment, KKR looks to strengthen their title defense by adding another experienced mind to their coaching unit.
