Abhishek Nayar’s Exit Sparks Rift in Team India; Ashish Nehra Tipped as Potential Successor

The BCCI’s sudden decision to relieve Abhishek Nayar from his role as assistant coach of the Indian cricket team has stirred speculation about the future of the support staff.

With Gautam Gambhir at the helm and a full roster that includes Morne Morkel as bowling coach, Ryan ten Doeschate as fielding coach, and Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach, many are questioning if there is any real need for another assistant coach.

Ashish Nehra’s Name Floated as Possible Replacement

Although it’s uncertain whether the BCCI is actively seeking a replacement, Ashish Nehra’s name has emerged as a strong candidate.

Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh publicly backed Nehra, urging the BCCI to consider his appointment. “I think there is no better coach than him for the Indian team in the present scenario,” Harbhajan stated in a video on his YouTube channel.

He acknowledged Nehra may not accept due to time commitments but maintained that he remains the top option.

Nehra’s Coaching Credentials Highlighted

Nehra has been with Gujarat Titans since their debut in the IPL in 2022, guiding them to a championship in their first season and a runner-up finish in the next.

Despite a dip in performance last year, the Titans currently top the standings, with Nehra widely credited for their success. Harbhajan praised Nehra’s coaching approach, noting his constant engagement with players from the sidelines and his distinct mindset.

GT’s success is evident through individual performances: Sai Sudarshan, Jos Buttler, and Shubman Gill are among the top-10 run-scorers, while bowlers like Prasidh Krishna, Sai Kishore, and Mohammed Siraj are in the top six.

“People say that a left-arm spinner can’t bowl to left-handed batters… but Ashish Nehra’s bowlers have done it all. It is about the mindset,” Harbhajan emphasized.

Rohit Sharma’s Instagram Post Sparks Team Management Debate

While Nehra’s name is being discussed, Rohit Sharma’s recent Instagram post has brought attention back to Nayar’s departure.

Following Mumbai Indians’ dominant victory against Chennai Super Kings, Rohit shared a story with the message, “Thank you, Abhishek Nayar!”—a gesture that has been widely interpreted as a subtle protest against the decision.

Reports suggest that while Rohit had been consulted during Nayar’s appointment, he was not informed before his removal. According to Dainik Jagran, this move highlights a disconnect within the team’s leadership.

“Abhishek’s entry into the Indian team’s support staff was done with Rohit’s consent, but Rohit was not consulted before removing him,” the report revealed.

Performance Review and Coaching Shuffle

Nayar’s removal is being linked to India’s disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they lost 1-3.

A review meeting was conducted after the series, but action against the support staff was delayed due to the upcoming Champions Trophy. Now, with the Indian team inactive during the IPL, the BCCI has taken decisive steps.

Along with Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip and trainer Soham Desai were also let go, although the latter two exited after the end of their contractual terms.

Internal Criticism of Nayar’s Role

The Dainik Jagran report also mentions internal doubts about Nayar’s credibility.

A team management member reportedly questioned his reliability, especially in light of Sitanshu Kotak being appointed as batting coach during the England series in January. “If Nayar was so reliable then why the management added Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach?” the report quoted.

Further criticism referenced Nayar’s association with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Although he worked with KKR from 2019 to 2024, a management member pointed out that the franchise only secured IPL titles under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership. Nayar has since returned to KKR as their assistant coach.

The BCCI’s reshuffle has opened up a wider debate about the structure and transparency within the Indian cricket team’s coaching hierarchy.

While names like Ashish Nehra emerge as potential replacements, Rohit Sharma’s reaction underlines that not everyone within the team camp agrees with how the changes have been handled.