After Chandrakant Pandit left the team after three seasons, the Kolkata Knight Riders announced on Thursday that former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar would take over as head coach. Nayar has been a part of the KKR’s think tank since 2018 and is frequently thought of as having significant influence over team selection in the dressing room.
Nayar was a member of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching staff for over nine months, however he was abruptly fired following India’s Champions Trophy victory, and Sitanshu Kotak took his place.
“Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders setup since 2018, shaping our players both on and off the field. His understanding of the game and connection with players have been key to our growth. We’re thrilled to see him take over as Head Coach and lead KKR into its next chapter,” said Venky Mysore, CEO, Kolkata Knight Riders.
As a member of the team’s academy and support staff, Nayar has collaborated closely with the players. Over the years, Nayar’s coaching skills and knowledge have solidified. He was instrumental in molding the development of young players while serving as KKR’s assistant coach.
In addition to his own find, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the 43-year-old, who played three One-Day Internationals for India, is highly regarded as a personal coach and has worked one-on-one with players such as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik.
