• Source:JND

IPL 2026: Abhishek Nayar, newly appointed Kolkata Knight Riders head coach, called Zimbabwe's fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani a 'blessing in disguise.' After a disappointing last season, KKR aims for a fourth title. During their first practice at Eden Gardens, Nayar welcomed Muzarabani, who joined as Mustafizur Rahman's replacement.

“Blessing, you are a blessing in disguise for us," Nayar was heard as saying in his opening speech.

Nayar became head coach of the Kolkata franchise before IPL 2026, replacing Chandrakant Pandit, after the team finished eighth in IPL 2025.

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He also became the head coach of the WPL franchise UP Warriorz, who finished last in the table.

“I know we’ve had you folded up in the bus so far, but it’s great to have you, the tallest member ever of this KKR team. Welcome, I hope you enjoy your time with the company of our boys and us," he said.

Muzarabani took 13 wickets in the recent mega event, finishing joint second-highest. He had match-winning figures of 4/16 against Australia and became the focus of KKR's first training session.

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The Zimbabwe pacer has 200 international wickets. He has yet to make his IPL debut, though he was with RCB last year as Lungi Ngidi's replacement.

The Kolkata franchise had signed Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore as a backup to its Rs 18 crore buyout of Matheesha Pathirana. However, BCCI instructed them to drop the Bangladeshi bowler due to geopolitical tensions with Bangladesh.

As a result, Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup, not wanting to play in India. Scotland replaced them.

Subsequently, KKR signed Muzarabani for Rs 75 lakhs, after which he withdrew from the Pakistan Super League to join the team.


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