BCCI Rings in Major Backroom Changes After BGT Debacle, Abhishek Nayar Faces Axe

In the wake of India’s underwhelming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 campaign, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appears set to take a bold and ruthless approach to revamp the national team’s backroom staff. 

According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the first casualty could be assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who is reportedly on his way out despite receiving widespread praise for his technical acumen.

Nayar, who was brought in under head coach Gautam Gambhir just eight months ago, is known for his close work with numerous Indian cricketers, both at the national and domestic levels. His departure, if confirmed, is raising eyebrows across the cricketing spectrum.

Only recently, KL Rahul publicly credited Nayar for helping him enhance his T20 game, particularly in developing his boundary-hitting ability. “Working with Abhishek has been game-changing. His ability to fine-tune technique and boost confidence is unmatched,” Rahul had said.

However, back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand at home and Australia away seem to have prompted the BCCI to make sweeping changes, possibly aiming to refresh the team’s morale ahead of the crucial England tour.

Adding to the shake-up, the report also suggests that support staff members who have completed a three-year tenure will be relieved of their duties. This includes fielding coach T Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai. The BCCI, however, is unlikely to immediately name replacements for Dilip and Nayar.

Adrian Le Roux, a seasoned fitness trainer from South Africa, is expected to take over Soham’s role. Currently associated with the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025 and formerly part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ coaching setup from 2008 to 2019, Le Roux brings a wealth of experience to India’s support system.

Furthermore, major changes in the BCCI’s central contracts are on the horizon. Veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja — who retired from T20Is following India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup — are reportedly set to be removed from the A+ category, as they are no longer active in all three formats. The revised contracts are expected to be announced after the IPL final on March 25.

If the reports hold true, the Indian cricket setup is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with performance and format relevance likely to dictate future decisions.