In the wake of India’s disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has swiftly responded by removing key members of the team’s support staff.
Among those dismissed are assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T. Dilip, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, marking a significant reshuffle following the humiliating defeat.
Nayar, who had been appointed just eight months ago, has been shown the door, along with Dilip and Desai. The drastic overhaul of the support staff comes as the BCCI seeks to address the team’s poor performance, especially in light of the disappointing results in the series against Australia.
The sacking of a team masseur has also been reported, signaling a broader restructuring within the Indian team’s backroom staff.
The shake-up follows the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach after Rahul Dravid's tenure. Gambhir, who took charge after India’s early exit from the 2024 World Cup, has been instrumental in reshaping the team’s approach.
Under his guidance, India had earlier secured a Champions Trophy title, bouncing back from setbacks, including India’s batting struggles both at home and abroad.
With Gambhir at the helm, several members of his coaching staff from Kolkata Knight Riders were brought into the fold, including Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel. The change, however, could not avert the failures in Australia, particularly with the Indian batsmen's struggles in challenging conditions.
In response to the criticism surrounding India’s batting performances, the BCCI had appointed Sitanshu Kotak, the NCA and India A coach, as the batting coach for white-ball assignments earlier this year. Despite some early setbacks, the support staff rallied under Gambhir’s leadership, with the team clinching the Champions Trophy in an impressive comeback.
With the firing of key coaches like Nayar and Dilip, the BCCI has yet to announce a direct replacement for the dismissed staff members. In the interim, Ryan ten Doeschate, who currently serves as an assistant coach, is expected to take over fielding duties. However, there is no immediate word on a new assistant coach to replace Nayar.
As the Indian team prepares for their next major challenge—a five-match Test series against England, starting June 20—the BCCI's reshuffling aims to reset the team’s structure and morale.
The pressure on the players and coaching staff to deliver strong performances will be immense, especially following the setback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Fans and pundits alike are left speculating whether the new-look support staff will be able to turn things around before the high-stakes series against England.
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