Mumbai Training Camp Kicks Off for IPL 18 Season
As the defending champions of the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially begun their preparations for the upcoming season. They launched a week-long training camp in Mumbai on February 21, aiming to help the team’s core domestic players get into shape and build team chemistry ahead of the tournament. This training camp will run until February 28, after which the team will move to Kolkata for their main pre-tournament camp in March.
Nine Domestic Players Take Part in Early Preparations
This camp focuses on KKR’s key domestic players, including Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Vaibhav Arora. Alongside them, promising young talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who had an impressive debut season in 2024, and newcomers Mayank Markande and Luvnith Sisodia have also joined. This mix of experienced players and fresh faces will help the team strengthen their squad dynamics before the full team assembles.
Comprehensive Training to Sharpen Skills and Fitness
The training camp, led by head coach Chandrakant Pandit and his coaching staff, includes a wide range of drills and exercises, such as:
- Strength and conditioning training
- Skill-focused net sessions
- Match simulation exercises
- Team bonding activities
These sessions ensure that players return to competitive shape before the season begins.
Expert Coaching Staff Guiding the Camp
KKR’s coaching setup for this training camp includes top professionals across all areas:
- Head Coach: Chandrakant Pandit
- Bowling Coach: Bharat Arun
- Spin Bowling Coach: Carl Crowe
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: Sagar V
- Head Physio: Prasanth Panchada
This experienced coaching staff is working closely with the players to fine-tune their skills and physical fitness ahead of the new season.
Coach Pandit: “This is Part of Our Routine Every Season”
Speaking about the camp, head coach Chandrakant Pandit stated:
“The players who are not currently involved in domestic cricket are available and have joined us for this short pre-season camp. This is a normal routine for us every season. We will also have a camp in Kolkata from March 12 onwards, where our international players will join us after the ICC Champions Trophy. Our real preparation will start when the full squad assembles, but this camp helps us get into rhythm. We have our core group intact, which gives us confidence, and I believe the players we have brought in at the auction will make our combinations as strong as last season.”
Spin Coach Crowe: “We Must Keep Pushing Forward”
Spin bowling coach Carl Crowe also emphasized the importance of the camp, saying:
“We’ve got a lot of net sessions and match simulations planned for the next few days. It’s a great opportunity for most of the squad to regroup. It’s good to see familiar faces, but also exciting to welcome new players. Keeping the squad fresh is important. We had a fantastic season last year, but we need to keep thinking of ways to improve. Everyone is really excited for the tournament.”
A Solid Foundation for the Upcoming Season
The main goal of this training camp is to ensure that KKR is well-prepared for IPL 2025. While international players will join later in Kolkata, this early camp helps set the tone for the season ahead. As the full squad comes together, KKR looks determined to defend their title and aim for another championship in the upcoming season!(online casino games)