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In what can be termed a defining moment for Indian cricket’s coaching setup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to terminate the services of Abhishek Nayar less than a year after he was appointed the assistant coach of the India men’s national team.
According to the ESPNcricinfo report, this decision came in the wake of India’s disappointing performances in red-ball cricket during the 2024 season, which included a shocking 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand and a humbling 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. The decision is part of a larger structural review initiated by the board in an attempt to address the alarming slide in India’s Test fortunes.
India’s next international assignment will be a crucial Test series against England in June 2025. The series, which will see India touring England for five Test matches, is set to be a major challenge for both teams, given their respective ambitions in Test cricket. The first Test is set to commence on June 20, 2025, and the series will continue until the fifth Test, which is scheduled to begin on July 31, 2025.
From trusted lieutenant to first dismissal: Abhishek Nayar’s sudden fall from grace
Nayar’s exit comes as a surprise to many, given the strong professional chemistry he shared with the current all-format head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir. The duo was instrumental in crafting Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) dramatic turnaround during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, where KKR clinched their third title, ending a decade-long title drought.
Nayar’s deep understanding of player psychology, individual mentoring skills, and strategic inputs made him a key member of Gambhir’s coaching ecosystem. When Gambhir was appointed the head coach of the Indian team in July 2024, he quickly brought Nayar. However, despite their past synergy, the BCCI’s internal review might determined that Nayar’s impact had not translated into tangible improvements in the national team’s performance, leading to the abrupt end of his tenure.
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Adrian Le Roux returns to reignite India’s fitness standards
In another high-impact development, Adrian Le Roux, the internationally renowned strength and conditioning expert from South Africa, is set to return as India’s trainer. The report further stated that ,Le Roux, currently serving with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, has already agreed to the BCCI’s offer and will replace Soham Desai, who held the position since 2019.
He previously worked with the Indian team from 2001 to 2003 and left a lasting impression with his emphasis on athleticism, mobility, and cricket-specific fitness. During his earlier stint, he partnered effectively with physiotherapist Andrew Leipus to bring about a cultural shift in how fitness was perceived and pursued in Indian cricket, a transformation that played a significant role in India’s improved overseas performances during the early 2000s. Le Roux later served the South African men’s national team for over a decade, earning plaudits for elevating their fielding and injury prevention metrics.
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