During his last press conference as head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Brendon McCullum answered all questions as candidly as possible. The former New Zealand captain is set to fly to England to begin his journey as the red ball coach of the team managed by Ben Stokes, which will obviously end his three-year association with KKR in as the team’s head coach. KKR were unable to bid a perfect farewell to McCullum as they lost a last-pitch thriller to Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL 2022 match at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, but McCullum said he was incredibly proud of the efforts of his players.

“I’ve had a great time over the past few years. I think we’ve played good cricket this year. I’ll watch that development. I know they’re in very good hands with the support staff and Shreyas as that captain. yeah, watch out for KKR next year,” McCullum said at the post-match press conference on Wednesday night.

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KKR finished with 12 points in 14 league matches at this year’s IPL. They were finalists last year.

McCullum, who had also represented KKR as a player, praised IPL for giving young people around the world the opportunity to show off their talent.

“Loved (my time at IPL). It’s been 3 years now and the 3 years have been in bubbles. I am personally grateful to all parties involved for hosting IPL between a pandemic. It has given the fans something to hold onto It’s just a wonderful tournament the biggest league in the world It gives opportunities to some incredibly good talent And as a coach to be able to be a part of that and give some of the guys the freedom to play “Going out there and playing with a positive attitude is something I’m eternally grateful for,” he said.

The former New Zealand wicket-striker was very impressed with Rinku Singh’s performance.

“I’m going in a different direction with the challenge of being able to coach England, but I will follow the KKR boys and, in particular, Rinku. I really wish them the best,” McCullum added.

Rinku broke 40 of 15 balls but came out when KKR needed 3 runs on 2 balls. The southpaw hit four sixes and two fours in an incredible display of power.

“Rinku’s story is incredible, a man around the IPL for five years. He was on the sidelines so long and worked so hard that he had to wait for his chance, he got it late in the tournament and he took it,” McCullum said.

“He plays the game for all the right reasons which I love as a coach and as a cricket fan as well. Rinku is a player that KKR will definitely invest in over the next few years and we will see him progress. Few people can beat like Rinku and be able to shoot plays from the fire. Really happy for him,” he said.