CCI Parts Ways with Abhishek Nayar Amid Coaching Shake-Up; Sitanshu Kotak Appointed Batting Coach

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to terminate Abhishek Nayar’s contract as assistant coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, following a series of underwhelming performances and internal concerns. Nayar, who had been with the team for just eight months, was informed of the decision after the team’s disappointing tour of Australia.​

Internal Concerns and Coaching Changes

Sources suggest that Nayar’s departure stems from a fallout with a powerful member of the support staff, who reportedly expressed concerns about Nayar’s presence in the dressing room, labeling it “counter-productive.” This feedback emerged during a BCCI review meeting attended by top officials, including Secretary Devajit Saikia and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla. In response, the BCCI appointed Sitanshu Kotak as the new batting coach, effective from the upcoming home series against England. ​

Gautam Gambhir’s Influence on Appointments

Head coach Gautam Gambhir is believed to have played a pivotal role in the coaching changes. Reports indicate that Gambhir requested the addition of a specialist batting coach during the review meeting, a recommendation that the BCCI acted upon by bringing Kotak into the fold. Kotak, a former Saurashtra cricketer with over 8,000 first-class runs, has extensive experience with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has previously worked with India A teams. ​

The reshuffling of the coaching staff is seen as a strategic move by the BCCI to address the team’s recent batting struggles, including a whitewash against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in Australia. The appointment of Kotak is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the batting unit ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, the departure of Nayar raises questions about internal team dynamics and the influence of senior players on coaching decisions.​

As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming series, all eyes will be on how the new coaching appointments impact performance and team cohesion