IPL 2025: Abhishek Nayar joining KKR after BCCI sacking as India Assistant Coach?

In a significant overhaul to the Indian cricket coaching establishment, Abhishek Nayar has been relieved of his position as assistant coach of the national men’s team.

His exit is amid a larger transformation in wake of India’s disappointing Test performances in the last few months. Although the move has generated a buzz, what added to the further curiosity is that Nayar could return to a side where he parted ways with an impressive legacy – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Abhishek Nayar’s Contribution to KKR

Nayar, a former India international and domestic pillar, was brought into the national fold during Gautam Gambhir’s initial tenure as head coach. The two had worked closely before at KKR, where Nayar was instrumental in the franchise’s revival and subsequent IPL 2024 championship. Behind the scenes at KKR, his influence was universally recognized.

He was not merely a conventional assistant coach but also a mentor, technical consultant, and player development expert all combined. One of Nayar’s greatest strengths is player management and skill acquisition. With his guidance, a number of players – particularly Rinku Singh and Shreyas Iyer – became more mature, tactically aware cricketers. His eye for detail, particularly in the areas of fitness, mental conditioning, and situational awareness while batting, assisted KKR in closing the gap between potential and performance.

KKR’s batting department, especially, thrived under Nayar’s tutelage. He played a key role in sharpening Rinku Singh’s finishing skills and spent considerable time with young Indian players to enhance their pressure adaptability. With KKR being inconsistent with the bat in the current IPL 2025 season, the return of Nayar to the fold might provide the side with much-needed direction and solidarity in batting planning.

Will Abhishek Nayar rejoin KKR in IPL 2025?

While there is no word officially on a reunion as yet, the timing of his departure from the national team and the mid-season woes of KKR coincide in a manner that makes his return to the franchise both logical and potentially effective. His intimate knowledge of the team dynamics and close relationship with players and support staff could give KKR a boost.

But currently, KKR are also loaded with their support staff. Dwayne Bravo came in as a mentor, and Ottis Gibson was also brought in as their assistant coach. During the course of the IPL 2025, Nayar’s reinstatement in the KKR think tank seems a little far-fetched theory, but never say never.