- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Just days after his removal as assistant coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, Abhishek Nayar has officially rejoined the support staff of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the remainder of IPL 2025.
Nayar had previously served KKR from IPL 2018, where he was instrumental in developing young Indian talent at the team’s academy in Mumbai. He was part of the squad that won IPL 2024 before taking up the role of assistant coach with the Indian team after Gautam Gambhir became head coach in July of last year.
Both Gambhir and Nayar received commendations from players, including KL Rahul and Varun Chakaravarthy, for their successful stints and for revitalizing careers in white-ball cricket, especially during their victorious run in IPL 2024. KKR welcomed Nayar back on their social media platforms, stating, “Welcome back home.”
The franchise noted that Nayar would likely participate in their training session at Eden Gardens on Saturday evening, ahead of their home match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday.
IANS reported on Thursday that Nayar, along with fielding coach T. Dilip, strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, and a masseur, was removed from the Indian team ahead of the five-match Test tour to England starting on June 20.
Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet released an official statement regarding Nayar’s exit from the national coaching staff, which followed disappointing series losses to New Zealand (3-0) at home and Australia (3-1) away.
Nayar’s position within the Indian team became uncertain after Sitanshu Kotak was appointed as the batting coach before India’s five-match T20I series against England earlier this year. His swift return to the KKR setup in the middle of IPL 2025 has raised questions regarding the policy of transitioning from national duties to franchise roles so quickly after his departure.
