Abhishek Nayar, T. Dilip, and Soham Desai Set for Departure from India Men’s Support Staff: Sources
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Synopsis
Abhishek Nayar, T. Dilip, and Soham Desai are expected to be removed from the India men's cricket team support staff, along with an unidentified masseur. The changes aim to streamline the coaching team following disappointing performances. Responsibilities will be reassigned to existing coaches as India prepares for upcoming international matches.
Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Nayar, T. Dilip, and Soham Desai likely to exit the support staff.
- Streamlining the coaching setup after a Test series defeat.
- Responsibility reassignment to other coaches.
- KL Rahul and others praised Nayar's influence on white-ball cricket.
- New potential hire Adrian Le Roux for conditioning role.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) In a significant turn of events, Abhishek Nayar, T. Dilip, and Soham Desai are expected to be dismissed from their roles within the India men’s cricket team support staff. Sources disclosed to IANS that a team masseur, whose identity remains undisclosed, has also been let go from the national setup.
Nayar joined as the assistant coach for the Indian team in July of the previous year after his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Meanwhile, Dilip and Desai have been integral to the team since November 2021 and October 2020, respectively. The quartet played a vital role in India’s unbeaten campaign during the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai.
“Certain individuals within the Board have questioned the necessity of having such a large support staff for the men’s team, particularly following the disappointing Test series loss in Australia. They expressed the opinion that the men’s team support staff appeared overcrowded,” stated sources.
“Therefore, this should not be regarded as a sacking; rather, it’s an effort to streamline the support staff. Additionally, this does not reflect on the capabilities of Nayar, Dilip, and Desai as coaches, as they still possess much to contribute to Indian cricket and the development of future players,” the sources conveyed to IANS on Thursday.
Numerous batters in the Indian squad, including KL Rahul, have acknowledged Nayar’s impact on their mindset shift that led to success in white-ball cricket. A similar positive sentiment has been expressed regarding Dilip, under whose guidance the Indian team excelled in fielding. The masseur in question is also believed to have been with the Indian team for several years.
According to sources, the responsibilities previously held by Nayar and Dilip will now be managed by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, who was the fielding coach at KKR, where head coach Gautam Gambhir served as mentor before transitioning to the Indian team.
IANS has also learned that Adrian Le Roux has emerged as a potential replacement for Desai. Currently the strength and conditioning coach for IPL side Punjab Kings, Le Roux had a prior stint with KKR from 2008 to 2019 and was part of the Indian team in the same role from 2002 to 2003. India’s next international challenge will be a five-match Test series in England, commencing on June 20.
