Ottis Gibson joins KKR as Assistant Coach

Former West Indies fast bowler Ottis Gibson has been named Assistant Coach by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2025. The 55-year-old joins a coaching group that includes Chandrakant Pandit (head coach), Dwayne Bravo (mentor), Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and Carl Crowe (spin bowling coaching).

Gibson has forged a strong coaching CV post his four-year playing career for the West Indies. On the international circuit, he has served as England's bowling coach in two separate stints. He has also served as the head coach for West Indies (2010-14) and South Africa (2017-19) and led the former to their first T20 World Cup title in 2012. He also briefly worked with Bangladesh and the Yorkshire County side apart from mentoring several T20 sides.

Defending champions KKR will have a new-look backroom staff after last season's mentor Gautam Gambhir left to take charge of the senior India men's team. Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate subsequently joined Gambhir at the India team.

KKR, who will open their title defence at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22, will be led by new captain Ajinkya Rahane with Venkatesh Iyer serving as his deputy.