A few days after being sacked by the BCCI from his role as the Indian team’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar has made a return to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) setup as part of the support staff for IPL 2025. Nayar, who previously played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role at KKR, was spotted alongside head coach Chandrakant Pandit during the team’s training session at Eden Gardens.
Nayar’s return to KKR comes at a crucial time, not just for the franchise but for the former cricketer himself, as he looks to reintegrate into a familiar environment after a tumultuous exit from the national setup. According to reports, Nayar’s position in the Indian team came under scrutiny following India’s underwhelming performances in Test cricket, both at home and overseas. The review meeting held after the Australia tour reportedly questioned his role, with multiple voices from the team management and player feedback contributing to the decision.
Welcome back home, @abhisheknayar1 💜 pic.twitter.com/IwJQTnAWxa
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 19, 2025
In an unprecedented move, the BCCI intervened and terminated contracts of several support staff members, including assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T. Dilip, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai. The decision was aimed at resetting the backroom team ahead of India’s crucial five-match Test series in England later this year. The BCCI is also set to introduce a new masseur as part of the revamped support staff.
Despite the setback, Nayar’s reputation within the domestic and IPL circuits remains strong. He has been credited by several players, including Dinesh Karthik, Venkatesh Iyer, and Varun Chakaravarthy, for his mentorship and contributions to their careers. KL Rahul had recently acknowledged Nayar’s role in his form revival as well.
At KKR, Nayar is expected to resume his role working closely with the players, especially the younger talent, as the franchise looks to stabilize their campaign mid-season. With his deep understanding of the game and strong relationships with Indian players, his reappointment could prove valuable for the Knight Riders in the second half of the tournament.
