Team India's batting, fielding coaches sacked after Australia series debacle

Following India's humiliating defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken swift and decisive action by removing several members of the team's support staff.

Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who had been appointed just eight months ago, has been relieved of his duties. Alongside him, fielding coach T. Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai have also been sacked. A team masseur has also reportedly been shown the door as part of the overhaul.

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With the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach after Rahul Dravid's tenure, the former India star brought in a big chunk of his coaching staff from Kolkata Knight Riders, including Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel.

In response to India's batting struggles in home Tests against New Zealand and away in Australia, the BCCI brought in NCA and India A coach Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach for the white-ball assignments earlier this year. Despite early setbacks, Gambhir and his coaching team bounced back strongly, guiding India to a Champions Trophy title. Nayar, ten Doeschate, Morkel, Dilip, and Kotak were all key members of the support staff during the victorious campaign.

While Nayar's stint with the India team comes to a close, the rest are still going to continue and even fill in for their former colleagues. To fill the immediate gaps, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will reportedly take over fielding responsibilities in place of T. Dilip, as no direct replacement has been named yet for Nayar or the former fielding coach.

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The new-look support staff are expected to join the Indian team ahead of their crucial five-match Test series against England, which begins on June 20. With pressure mounting after the BGT setback, the BCCI is clearly looking to reset and reinforce the team's structure and morale before another high-profile red-ball assignment.

India's next challenge comes against England in a home five-match Test series, which has fans speculating whether BCCI will find replacements for Nayar and Dillip in time or not.

Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: Apr 17, 2025

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