Mumbai: In a decisive move after India’s dismal 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sacked assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai. The shake-up was necessitated because India did not reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final this year, a serious blow after a decade of dominance of the series.
As part of a revamp ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England, which begins June 20, the BCCI cut some muscle, also releasing a team masseur among the changes. The move was made following the team’s dismal run Down Under, where they began with an impressive win in Perth but succumbed to heavy defeats in Adelaide (10 wickets), Melbourne (184 runs), and Sydney (six wickets), apart from a draw in Brisbane.
Abhishek Nayar was hired under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir eight months ago and was let go despite previously being known as a franchise that’s well known for its success in nurturing young talent like he did with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Fielding coach T. Dilip, who was the only surviving member of Rahul Dravid’s coaching unit, was also sacked after more than three years — a stretch beyond the alleged term review reported by BCCI. He was known for innovative practices, like handing out fielding medals. The strength and conditioning coach, Soham Desai, was also relieved of his duties after three years.
The new strength and conditioning coach is South African sports scientist Adrian Le Roux, who has been associated with Punjab Kings for the past two seasons and worked with KKR and the Indian team at the start of the 2000s. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, is likely to take up fielding duties on a temporary basis, while Sitanshu Kotak, who was already a part of the setup as a batting coach for white-ball assignments, will continue in that role. Nayar or Dilip has not immediately been replaced.
The departure comes in the wake of criticism of India’s erratic batting and fielding on the tour of Australia, as well as reports in the media of leaks from the dressing room and infighting among players. Crucial players, such as Rohit Sharma, the captain (31 runs in three games at an average of 6.20), and Virat Kohli (190 in five games at an average of 23.75), were criticised for their poor showing.
India is enjoying success in white-ball cricket, having won the ICC Champions Trophy as recently as this year under Gambhir’s captaincy, but their Test side, as evidenced by losing six out of their past nine matches and most recently a 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand, is in terrible condition. The BCCI’s actions indicate intent to beef up the coaching setup and impose some discipline as India gears up for an important red-ball season.
The revamped support staff that also sees bowling coach Morne Morkel retain his role will join the Indian team for the tour of England. The changes have not been officially confirmed by the board yet, but an announcement is imminent as the side prepares for the next World Test Championship cycle.
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