The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly been asked by India’s new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, to designate Abhishek Nayar as his deputy.
The pair was instrumental in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 championship win for the Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as they comfortably defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the championship match.
Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s new head coach was formally confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday, July 9. Prior to the T20 World Cup in 2024, the BCCI requested applicants, and the former Indian cricket player submitted an application for the position. After 17 years, Rohit Sharma’s team won the championship, capping off Rahul Dravid’s successful reign as India’s head coach. Gambhir has taken the place of the former Karnataka cricket player, defeating former India women’s team coach WV Raman in a fierce match.
According to India Today, Gambhir, who mentored KKR in the 2024 Indian Premier League, is eager to have Nayar in India’s support staff. The former all-rounder oversees the KKR Academy in addition to serving as the team’s assistant coach in Kolkata. Some who have acknowledged Nayar’s teaching abilities include Varun Chakravarthy and Dinesh Karthik. The former Mumbai cricketer was given praise by the wicketkeeper-batter for his late comeback as a finisher.
Along with the present group of Indian players, Nayar gets along well with them all, particularly captain Rohit. The two Mumbaikars have been teammates in domestic cricket for many years, thus they have a very extensive history together.
On Tuesday, the BCCI announced that in addition to Dravid, several support staff members will be leaving, including fielding coach T Dilip, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and batting coach Vikram Rathour.
The Board also extends its congratulations to Mr. Vikram Rathour, the hitting coach, Mr. Paras Mhambrey, the bowling coach, and Mr. T. Dilip, the fielding coach, for a very successful term. According to a BCCI statement, “The BCCI values their contribution and wishes them the best going forward.”
With three Twenty20 Internationals and an equal number of One-Dayers to come, India’s forthcoming series against Sri Lanka will see Gambhir in command.
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