The BCCI has sacked assistant coach Abhishek Nayar just eight months into his role.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken decisive steps following Team India’s dismal show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.
In a significant move, the BCCI has sacked assistant coach Abhishek Nayar just eight months into his role. The decision comes amidst a major overhaul in the support staff.
Besides Nayar, Fielding Coach T Dilip and Strength & Conditioning Coach Soham Desai have also been relieved of their duties.
While Dilip and Soham had completed their three-year tenure with the national team, Nayar’s removal is being viewed as a direct consequence of India's struggles in home Tests against New Zealand and away in Australia.
According to Dainik Jagran, the BCCI is not expected to immediately name replacements for Dilip and Nayar. Sitanshu Kotak is already associated with the team while Ryan ten Doeschate will oversee T Dilip's role. Desai role will be taken over by Adrian Le Roux. The South African is currently part of the Punjab Kings' support staff in the IPL and previously served with Kolkata Knight Riders between 2008 and 2019.
The new-look support staff is expected to join the Indian team before their all-important five-Test tour of England, slated to get underway on June 20.
Team India failed to perform in Australia, losing the five-Test series 3-1. As a result, they conceded the coveted BGT for the first time since 2014-15. Before the Australia tour, the Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand.
The two back-to-back series losses shattered India’s dream of qualify for the World Test Championship 2023-25 final.
However, after the BGT debacle, Rohit Sharma’s team clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without losing a single match in the tournament.