A few days after getting sacked by the BCCI, Abhishek Nayar has returned to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their assistant coach for the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
Three-times champions KKR confirmed Nayar’s appointment with a social media post.
“Welcome back home, @abhisheknayar1,” KKR posted on X.
Welcome back home, @abhisheknayar1 pic.twitter.com/IwJQTnAWxa
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 19, 2025
The 41-year-old Nayar is present at the training session of KKR at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR will face Gujarat Titans on Monday, April 21 in match No. 39 of IPL 2025.
Notably, Nayar was part of the KKR support staff as assistant coach when they lifted their third IPL title in 2024, a decade after their previous triumph in 2014. He also played a pivotal role in player development at the KKR Academy.
Why Did BCCI Sack Abhishek Nayar?
Abhishek Nayar’s exit from the Indian team setup reportedly comes in the wake of a performance review by the BCCI, following India’s dismal run in Test cricket late last year. India suffered an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, followed by a 1-3 series defeat — first in a decade — in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Nayar, a successful all rounder with Mumbai who played three ODIs for India, was handpicked by Gambhir for the job after he was appointed as head coach in July 2024. Both worked together at KKR during IPL 2024 season and were key to the franchise winning its third IPL title.
While Gambhir was given a three-year contract – until the 2027 ODI World Cup – Nayar’s tenure could not be ascertained.
Despite earning praise for his work with players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer, his future became uncertain after the BCCI brought in Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach for the England white-ball series earlier this year.
Incidentally, the BCCI has not issued any official communication confirming Nayar’s departure from the national team setup so far.
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