In light of the disappointing outcomes in the Test format, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently dismissed assistant coach Abhishek Nayar from the team management.

The seasoned domestic cricketer has now rejoined the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as an assistant coach within the support staff. However, it has come to light that India's Test and ODI captain, Rohit Sharma, was not consulted regarding the decision to terminate Abhishek Nayar's position.

Rohit Sharma, who faced challenges during the ongoing 18th edition of the IPL, regained his form against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with an impressive unbeaten score of 76 runs. Following this match-winning performance, Rohit expressed his gratitude to Abhishek Nayar on Instagram, posting a photo with the caption, 'Thank you @abhisheknayar.' According to a report from Jagran, while Rohit Sharma was consulted prior to Abhishek Nayar's appointment as an assistant coach, his input was not sought before Nayar's dismissal.

The report indicates, 'Abhishek's inclusion in the Indian team's support staff was made with Rohit's approval, but Rohit was not consulted prior to his removal.' Furthermore, Rohit Sharma's public acknowledgment of Abhishek Nayar after his innings against CSK suggests a lack of 'consensus within the Indian team management' regarding Nayar's role. For context, a significant review meeting took place at the BCCI headquarters following India's 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Prior to this loss, India had also suffered a clean sweep at home against New Zealand in a three-match Test series. During the review meeting, a team management member raised concerns about leaks of dressing room discussions to the media. Nevertheless, the support staff for the Champions Trophy, which India won, remained unchanged, with Sitanshu Kotak being appointed as the latest addition to the backroom staff as batting coach.

Why Sitanshu Kotak was appointed as the batting coach

According According to a report by Jagran, a member of the Indian team management questioned Nayar's capabilities, suggesting that if he was indeed proficient, there would have been no need to appoint Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach for the upcoming England series in January.

It was also noted that Rohit Sharma supported the decision to include Kotak. Furthermore, sources informed Hindustan Times that head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played a significant role in Nayar's appointment as assistant coach, did not contest his dismissal due to dissatisfaction with his performance.

The collaboration between Gambhir and Nayar failed to resonate within the Indian dressing room, despite their successful partnership with KKR during the IPL 2024 season, which culminated in the team winning the title after a decade. Nayar also struggled to establish a strong rapport with several senior team members. A BCCI source revealed to Hindustan Times that board officials gathered feedback from senior cricketers, some of whom expressed discontent with Nayar's influence in the dressing room.

The source further stated, 'Gambhir did not oppose Nayar's dismissal. He had to navigate numerous negotiations to secure the involvement of ten Doechate and Morkel, and there was no possibility of allowing them to depart so soon.' Sitanshu Kotak will remain as the batting coach, while the position of assistant coach is expected to be eliminated, as Ryan ten Doeschate is set to transition into the role of fielding coach following the conclusion of T Dilip's contract.

Read Also: BCCI advised to contact Ashish Nehra following Abhishek Nayar's dismissal: 'He is the ideal coach for the Indian team'

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