Abhishek Nayar fired by India, returns to Kolkata Cavaliers rider to serve as IPL 2025 | Cricket News
Abhishek Nayar returned to Kolkata Knights Riders (KKR) a few days after being fired by BCCI as an assistant coach for the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
Three-inning champion KKR confirmed Nayal’s appointment in a social media post.
“Welcome home, @abhisheknayar1,” KKR posted on X.
Welcome home, @abhisheknayar1 pic.twitter.com/iwjqtnawxa– Kolkataknightriders (@kkriders) April 19, 2025
The 41-year-old Nayar was at a KKR training session in Eden Gardens on Saturday. Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR will face the Gujarat Giants in Match 39 of IPL 2025 on Monday, April 21.
It is worth noting that Nayar served as an assistant coach as a KKR support staff in the 2024 third IPL championship, the 2014 victory decade. He also played a key role in the development of the player at KKR Academy.
Why did BCCI fire Abhishek Nayar?
Abhishek Nayar’s withdrawal from India was reportedly set up after BCCI’s performance review, after a crushing defeat in Test cricket late last year. India suffered an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash in home match against New Zealand before taking a 1-3 series in Australia during the border-Gavaska Trophy–a first over a decade.
Nayar, a successful Mumbai in Mumbai, played for three ODI games for India and was personally selected by Gambhir after being appointed as head coach in July 2024. He worked together in KKR during the IPL 2024 season and was the key to the franchise winning its third IPL title.
Although Gambir received a three-year contract – until the 2027 ODI World Cup – Nayal’s tenure cannot be determined.
Despite his praise for his collaboration with players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, his future has become uncertain after BCCI brought BCCI to the England White-Ball series earlier this year.
By the way, BCCI has not sent any formal communication to confirm that Nayar has so far been away from the national team.
