NEW DELHI: Abhishek Nayar has officially returned to the Indian Premier League, rejoining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as part of their support staff ahead of a crucial phase in the 2025 season.
The franchise confirmed the news on Saturday, noting that the former India all-rounder is expected to be present at training at Eden Gardens the same day.
As the news of a reunion was broken first earlier on the day here at TimesofIndia.com, this marks a significant reunion between Nayar and the three-time IPL champions.
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Known for his behind-the-scenes influence and player-first approach, Nayar played a key role in the development of several KKR stars during his previous tenure with the team.
Young talents like Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, and Varun Chakravarthy flourished under his guidance, earning praise for both their technique and temperament — hallmarks of Nayar’s mentorship style.
His return comes shortly after a surprising exit from the Indian national setup.
Appointed as assistant coach by head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s 2024 World Cup campaign, Nayar’s contract was expected to run until the end of May.
However, following back-to-back Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia, the BCCI opted for a shake-up, relieving Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and S&C coach Soham Desai of their duties.
While BCCI hasn’t made any announcement yet on Nayar’s departure, this appears to be a timely boost for KKR.
With the league stage heating up and the playoffs within reach, bringing back a trusted figure like Nayar could add much-needed calm and clarity to the dressing room.
Fans will be watching closely to see if this reunion can spark another title charge — just like it did in 2024.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
