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Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar, who has shaped the careers of several established cricketers as a coach, is all set to join the Indian senior team as the assistant coach in the company of Ryan ten Doeschate. If reports in several media outlets are to be believed, Nayar is set to join the team during the limited overs tour of Sri Lanka, which starts on July 27.
After his appointment as the head coach of the Indian national team, reports emerged that Gautam Gambhir wants to work with his preferred coaches - Nayar and Ten Doeschate.
Abhishek Nayar had worked with Gambhir in IPL 2024 for the Kolkata Knight Riders as they won the title for the third time in the franchise's history.
India’s gain will be a massive loss for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who will have to replace Gambhir and Nayar. Abhishek Nayar's ability to understand the psyche of players and work accordingly has made him extremely popular in the coaching circuit.
Having said that, let us have a look at three reasons why KKR will miss Nayar more than Gautam Gambhir:
# 1. Abhishek Nayar is a popular figure among the local players
Kolkata Knight Riders' success over the years has been built on the strength of their local talents. They have nurtured several youngsters, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi being the latest entrant into the club.
The Knight Riders appointed Abhishek Nayar as the assistant coach in the build-up to 2024, thanks to his pivotal role in reviving and shaping the careers of several international players. Varun Chakravarthy credited Nayar for forming KKR's core group of Indian players.
Nayar has worked personally with players like Rohit Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Dinesh Karthik, among many others. He is a very popular figure among the local talents and his scouting process will make him a big miss in the KKR dug out from the next season.
# 2. A motivational character in the dressing room
Another attribute which makes Abhishek Nayar a brilliant coach is the motivation he provides to the players, especially after tough losses. After KKR’s title win in 2024, Varun Chakravarthy mentioned how Nayar motivated the dressing room and the massive role he played in their victorious campaign.
“In the last game, after conceding so many runs, it was a tough pill to take but the whole team motivated us. Abhishek Nayar and even Shahrukh Khan came and spoke to me, definitely motivated us," Chakravarthy had said during the previous IPL.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi said Abhishek Nayar was like family to him and detailed how he motivated him to work hard. These statements demonstrate Abhishek's character, especially with the local Indian players. Most of the players in the Knight Riders squad share a cordial relation with Nayar, and his absence could be a massive factor in the upcoming IPL season.
# 3. Abhishek Nayar used to bridge the gap between international and local players
In a franchise set-up, the gap between local stars and the international stalwarts can create a rift in the team.
The interaction between the local and the international players was managed brilliantly in the presence of Abhishek Nayar. He was responsible for creating a comfortable environment for newcomers into the team and help players relate with each other.
