In a significant move, the BCCI has reportedly removed India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar just eight months into his role. Fielding Coach T Dilip and Strength & Conditioning Coach Soham Desai have also been relieved of their duties.

While the major shake-up is being viewed as a direct consequence of India's struggles in home Tests against New Zealand and away in Australia, a report published in PTI paints a completely different picture.

According to the report, Nayar has been sacked amid speculation of a rift with a high-profile member of the support staff.

As per the board sources, the Mumbaikar has already been intimated of the BCCI's decision to part ways with him.

"While India's recent Test debacles (against New Zealand and Australia) has led to the churning but there is also a feeling in the BCCI that Nayar became a scapegoat in the turf war between an important member of the support staff and a senior star player," PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.

The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the BCCI has capped the support staff's tenure at three years. Dilip and Soham had completed their three-year tenure with the national team.

Desai’s role will reportedly be taken over by Adrian Le Roux, who has previously served the Indian team as Strength and Conditioning coach. The South African is widely credited for ushering in a new fitness culture in the then Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team during the 2003 World Cup.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, when contacted by the news agency, refused to comment on the query.

"Certain things are being finalised. You will receive a press note from BCCI in some days," Saikia said when asked about the development.

Team India are expected to travel to England in June with a new-look support staff. They will play five Tests in England from June 20 to August 4.

(With PTI Inputs)