The Indian cricket team is all set to welcome a new set of assistant coaches, with former allrounder Abhishek Nayar and Netherlands’ Ryan ten Doeschate joining the team ahead of the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.
This change comes as soon as Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the new head coach, with whom Nayar had previously worked during Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 title-winning campaign.
Abhishek Nayar, a 40-year-old veteran of three ODIs and multiple Ranji Trophy titles with Mumbai, brings a wealth of experience to the table. During his playing days, he mentored several young players, including Dinesh Karthik, who credited Nayar with helping him stage an international comeback.
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The praise for Abhishek Nayar doesn’t stop there – mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy also thanked him for his guidance after KKR’s historic IPL win. Nayar has also had stints as the head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Ten Doeschate, another experienced allrounder, will join Nayar in the support staff. Currently working as an assistant coach with Los Angeles Knight Riders in the USA’s Major League Cricket under Phil Simmons, he also boasts experience as a batting coach at Kent. With Gambhir at the helm, this pairing will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to the Indian team.
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Meanwhile, ESPNcricinfo has reported that former South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel is being considered for the role of India’s new bowling coach. Morkel has worked with Gambhir in the past during their time at Lucknow Super Giants and Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 league. Former Karnataka seamer Vinay Kumar has also been shortlisted for the position, but Morkel is understood to be the leading candidate.
The new coaching setup will have its first assignment in a three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting from July 27. With Abhishek Nayar on board, fans can expect a more personalized approach to player development and mentorship.
As India looks to regroup and rebuild ahead of a crucial period in international cricket, this new-look support staff could be just what the team needs to get back on track.