Abhishek Nayar replaces Chandrakant Pandit as KKR head coach ahead of IPL 2026
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Former Indian National Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, as he replaced Chandrakant Pandit in the former Champions' camp. This comes as a major development after he was sacked from the position of India's assistant coach.
Abhishek Nayar has been an inspiring name in the game of cricket, as he has shaped the careers of many cricketers over the years as their personal mentors. He had a huge role in reviving the career of former wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, while he was recently part of Rohit Sharma's inspirational weight loss journey.
He had also earned praise from Indian batsman KL Rahul for having shaped his development as a white-ball cricketer during their stay on the Indian side, as well as during his domestic cricket days.
Abhishek Nayar appointed new head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders
The former Mumbai all-rounder, Abhishek Nayar, has been appointed as the new head coach of the IPL 2024 champions, Kolkata Knight Riders. He replaces former coach Chandrakant Pandit after KKR failed to make it to the playoffs in IPL 2025.
Nayar was removed from the role of India's support staff earlier this year, and the announcement from KKR is to arrive anytime soon, after the decision was likely taken last week itself, as per The Indian Express.
The 42-year-old has worked previously for the Kolkata Knight Riders in multiple stints. He will be joining mentor Dwayne Bravo for the upcoming season.
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— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 26, 2025
Abhishek Nayar appointed Kolkata Knight Riders head coach@pdevendra https://t.co/63PNBduD39
Abhishek Nayar holds the position of head coach for the WPL franchise
After being snubbed from the India National Cricket Team by the BCCI after their review meeting earlier, which terminated the contract for the support staff who were handpicked by head coach Gautam Gambhir himself, he took up a role immediately with the Women's Premier League giants.
He replaced former coach Jon Lewis and outlined his views immediately after his appointment. The Warriorz have failed to be promising over the three seasons in the WPL, and hence, Nayar had pinned his mentality to building a strong team and setting a winning mindset.
“The opportunity is to create a culture where everyone understands that this franchise plays to win trophies, and try and bring that mentality into our ecosystem,” he had said. It will be interesting to witness if he continues in both roles or sides with the IPL role over the position in the WPL.
KKR had signed Abhishek Nayar immediately after being sacked from the BCCI's assistant role
Just days after Abhishek Nayar was snubbed from his role with the Indian team by the BCCI, he returned to be appointed by the Kolkata Knight Riders. Interestingly, his return to KKR surfaced even before his exit from the Indian team.
On this return to KKR, Nayar had expressed deep fondness for the franchise and his esteem for the side, which marked such a speedy return for him. He had said then that KKR is like a family to him, and the speed at which he was back into the side was a testament to that fact.
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Abhishek Nayar Chandrakant Pandit Kolkata Knight Riders IPL India National Cricket Team Dwayne Bravo
