Who is Abhishek Nayar, the New Assistant Coach of the Indian Cricket Team?

The Indian cricket team welcomes Abhishek Nayar as its new assistant coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record both as a player and a coach. Born on October 8, 1983, Nayar's journey in cricket has been nothing short of impressive, marked by significant contributions in domestic cricket and the IPL, as well as in coaching roles.

The Indian cricket team led by head coach Gautam Gambhir left for Sri Lanka on Monday, and Abhishek Nayar was also part of the group. India are slated to play T20I and ODI series against the island nation, starting July 27. 

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Why is Abhishek Nayar?

Abhishek Nayar, an all-rounder known for his left-handed batting and right-arm medium pace, made his mark through his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He played for the Indian cricket team in three ODIs. 

Nayar's domestic career was primarily associated with Mumbai, one of the powerhouses in Indian domestic cricket. His performances for Mumbai were instrumental in many of their Ranji Trophy victories.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Abhishek Nayar played for several teams, including the Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors, and Rajasthan Royals. 

Transition to Coaching

Abhishek Nayar seamlessly transitioned into coaching after his playing days. He brought his extensive experience and deep understanding of the game to his coaching roles. Nayar has been part of the coaching staff for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, where he played a crucial role in mentoring and developing young talents. 

He most recently won the IPL 2024 title with KKR as part of their coaching group. Nayar was also the head coach of the KKR academy. Nayar also served as a coach for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

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Ready to Coach India

As Abhishek Nayar steps into the role of assistant coach for the Indian cricket team, he brings with him a rich blend of playing and coaching experience. Nayar will work closely with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has also worked with the former cricketer during his stint as mentor of KKR earlier this year. 

Note: Abhishek Nayar is a close friend of Indian ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma. Both of them are a product of the Mumbai cricket scene. Nayar has also played a pivotal role in the development of cricketers like Rinku Singh.