Abhishek Nayar to be sacked as Indian cricket board starts massive overhaul

Dubai: After a bruising Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign and missing out on the World Test Championship final, the Indian cricket board has begun a major backroom overhaul — starting with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.

Nayar, who was appointed last July, is set to be sacked following internal feedback labelling his presence in the dressing room as “counter-productive”, according to a PTI report citing a senior member of the support staff. His exit is likely to be the first of several changes following India’s Test debacle over the past six months, beginning with the 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand. The move comes as India begin preparations for the next World Test Championship cycle.

The contracts of fielding coach T Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai have also expired. Former Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate will continue his role, while South African Adrian Le Roux — returning for a second stint — will replace Desai.

PTI further reports that Sitanshu Kotak was brought in as batting coach ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 as a way of gradually phasing Nayar out of the system. His appointment followed a review meeting after the tour of Australia, attended by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, vice-president Rajeev Shukla, national selectors, and team representatives.

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

As the Indian team prepares to face England in a five-Test series starting June 20 at Headingley — where India haven’t won a Test series since 2007 — skipper Rohit Sharma reflected on his poor form in the 2024—25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored just 31 runs in four Tests and missed both the first and fifth matches of the series.

“I had to be honest with myself — I wasn’t hitting the ball well, and I didn’t want to play just for the sake of it,” Rohit told Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast. “A few others were struggling too, and we really wanted Gill to play. He’s such a good player and had missed the previous Test, so we felt he deserved a chance.”

Rohit said the decision to sit out wasn’t unanimous among team management. “I spoke to the coach and the selector, who was on the tour as well, and they more or less agreed. You try to put the team first. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s just how it goes.”

With the Test series looming just weeks after the IPL season, India’s red-ball reset is already underway — with changes both on and off the field.