BCCI Sacks Abhishek Nayar and T Dilip from Team India’s Coaching Staff After Australia Defeat
In a major shake-up following Team India’s disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly sacked batting coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T Dilip. The decision comes after India’s 1-3 Test series defeat to Australia and just ahead of a crucial England tour scheduled for June.
According to a report, the BCCI has also relieved strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai from his duties. The trio is unlikely to travel with the squad to the UK for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Nayar, who was appointed as the batting coach only eight months ago, was brought in as part of a revamped coaching staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Dilip, on the other hand, had been with the Indian team since 2021 and was praised for his focus on modern, data-driven fielding drills. However, with India failing to deliver consistent performances—particularly in red-ball cricket—changes within the support staff appeared imminent.
The loss against Australia was a significant blow for the Rohit Sharma-led side, and BCCI’s swift decision to restructure the coaching unit indicates a no-tolerance stance on underperformance. The move also signals the board’s intent to enter the England series with a fresh mindset and sharper tactical preparation.
Sources indicate that NCA and India A coach Sitanshu Kotak was temporarily brought in for India’s white-ball assignments after poor showings against New Zealand and Australia. Kotak is now being considered for an extended role, particularly in the batting department, although the BCCI is yet to confirm permanent replacements.
Former Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate, who had already been part of Gambhir’s preferred coaching group, will take over as Team India’s fielding coach. Ten Doeschate is known for his athleticism during his playing days and has earned praise for his player-centric approach in coaching.
Meanwhile, Adrian Le Roux, currently serving as the strength and conditioning coach of Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is expected to take over the fitness responsibilities of the national team. A veteran of the South African setup, Le Roux is considered one of the top fitness experts in the game and is likely to bring a data-backed approach to Team India’s physical conditioning.
With these changes, the BCCI hopes to reset the team’s focus and improve performance in overseas conditions. The revamped coaching staff will be closely watched during the England series, as the team looks to bounce back from recent disappointments.
India Today.
