Abhishek Nayar was dismissed from his role as the assistant coach of the Indian men's cricket team on Thursday, reportedly due to a conflict with a prominent member of the support staff. This decision came despite assertions that his termination was a consequence of India's disappointing performances in Test matches against New Zealand and Australia. Nayar had only joined the Indian team eight months prior.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took decisive action in response to India's lackluster performance in Test cricket since October of the previous year. The team secured only one victory in eight matches, which included an unprecedented 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 loss in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. These consecutive defeats resulted in India losing its position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table and failing to qualify for the final, leading to Nayar's dismissal.

However, a report from PTI indicated that Nayar's termination was linked to a dispute with a senior member of the support staff. The BCCI reportedly viewed him as a "scapegoat" in a conflict involving that staff member and a senior player. The report also mentioned that Nayar had been informed of the board's decision to terminate his contract.

"While India's recent Test failures against New Zealand and Australia have prompted significant changes, there is a sentiment within the BCCI that Nayar became a scapegoat in the ongoing conflict between a key support staff member and a senior player," a BCCI source stated to PTI.

In addition to Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai have also departed, a move aligned with the new BCCI Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which limits the tenure of support staff to three years.

Desai will be succeeded by Adrian Le Roux, who is returning for his second tenure. The South African previously served as part of the Indian team under Sourav Ganguly during the 2003 World Cup.

Devajit Saikia to clear the air in 'some days'

PTI also contacted the board secretary, but he remained tight-lipped on the matter, saying that he would only address it when the final decisions are taken in a few days.

"Certain things are being finalised. You will receive a press note from BCCI in some days," Saikia said when asked about the development.

The 41-year-old Nayar, a former all-rounder who played three ODIs but was largely a domestic stalwart with 103 first-class games, didn't respond to a text message sent by PTI.

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