Before IPL 2026, KKR made a big move, made ex Rajasthan Royals player as fielding coach.

By Samira Vishwas On Jan 21, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has appointed Dishant Yagnik as the new fielding coach of the team, making a significant change in its coaching setup ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. The franchise officially announced the decision on Wednesday, January 21, with Yagnik now becoming a part of KKR’s strong and experienced support staff.

Dishant Yagnik has been a well-known name in Indian domestic cricket. Born on 22 June 1983, Yagnik played for Rajasthan as a wicketkeeper-batsman for a long time. He made his debut in first-class cricket in the 2001–02 season and remained active in domestic cricket until 2017. He also contributed to Rajasthan’s 2005–06 Ranji Trophy victory, making him an important part of the state’s cricket heritage.

Yagnik has also represented India at the under-19 level and also played for Delhi Giants in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) between 2007 and 2009. Talking about his IPL career, he was a part of Rajasthan Royals between 2011 and 2015 and played a total of 25 matches for the franchise. After retirement, Yagnik entered coaching and made his mark as the fielding coach of Rajasthan Royals.

Apart from this, he has also played the role of head coach of Puducherry team. In a statement issued by KKR, it was said that Yagnik joining the team is a new and exciting chapter in his coaching career. The franchise hopes that his experience and special focus on fielding will see a visible improvement in the team’s performance. KKR’s coaching staff for IPL 2026 already looks quite impressive.

Under the leadership of head coach Abhishek Nair, the team is accompanied by mentor Dwayne Bravo, assistant coach Shane Watson, bowling coach Tim Southee and power-hitting expert Andre Russell. In such a situation, the entry of Dishant Yagnik is expected to give new direction and edge to the fielding unit of Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR is now preparing to enter IPL 2026 as a balanced and all-round team.