New Delhi, March 12 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Ramandeep Singh said that working under Shane Watson and Andre Russell in KKR's coaching setup for the 2026 IPL is a "blessing," adding that he wants to learn as much as possible from these legendary all-rounders.
Watson has joined KKR as an assistant coach, while Russell has taken on the role of power coach. "Having them in the dugout is a blessing. I want to make the most of it and absorb as much as I can from them. I also hope I can emulate their success in crucial, match-defining moments for the team," Ramandeep said in a statement issued by the franchise on Thursday.
Ramandeep, 28, joined KKR in 2024 and was part of the team that won their third IPL trophy. Since then, he has scored 172 runs at a strike rate of 167.9 and taken six wickets. He also impressed in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 209 runs at a strike rate of 195 and taking nine wickets in 10 matches for his state, Punjab.
"My approach for this year is very situation-oriented. I am working on my understanding of potential scenarios. Every time I step in to bat, I am also trying to understand how the pitch is evolving and playing the right shots accordingly," he added.
Ramandeep, who made two T20I appearances for India in 2024, also expressed his desire to contribute with the ball this season. "If given the opportunity, I want to deliver as a bowler too, because I believe I have the capability to be an all-rounder. I am going to give my best on the field, and I am hopeful the results will follow," he said.
Led by veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane, KKR finished in eighth place in IPL 2025 and will open their IPL 2026 campaign against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in an evening game on March 29. Known as one of KKR's reliable finishers, Ramandeep ended by saying his focus was on mental preparation and consistency.
"This is something I have been working on over the past year. I want to play the situation, not just entertain. My goal is to be a match-winner, and for that, it does not matter what people are saying on social media or elsewhere. My only focus is on improving my skills every day," he said.
