Major Changes in Team India’s Support Staff Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made significant changes to Team India’s coaching staff following their disappointing performance on the Australia tour. In a surprising move, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and trainer Soham Desai have been removed from the Indian cricket coaching panel, just months before the Champions Trophy 2025.
Nair, who was inducted into the support staff merely eight months ago, has now been dismissed amid controversy involving internal team issues and dressing room leaks.
Abhishek Nayar’s Exit: Player Influence and Dressing Room Drama
Senior Players Reportedly Unhappy with Nair’s Presence
According to a Hindustan Times report on Abhishek Nayar, some senior batsmen in Team India were dissatisfied with his involvement in the dressing room. The discomfort grew during the India vs Australia tour, where the team’s performance failed to meet expectations. Rumors suggest that Team India’s internal politics may have played a role, as a few influential players reportedly did not want to see him involved.
While Gautam Gambhir, a key figure in the current setup, was responsible for recommending a few coaches such as Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel, a BCCI source told HT that Gambhir “did not protest Nair’s sacking.”
“Gambhir had to negotiate and push hard to get Doeschate and Morkel into the support staff. He let Nair go without resistance,” the source added.
Sitanshu Kotak’s Entry Signals the End for Nair
The foundation for Nair’s removal was seemingly laid even before the squad announcement for the Champions Trophy. The inclusion of Sitanshu Kotak as an additional batting coach was a clear indicator. Kotak, a respected name in Indian domestic cricket, brings a different approach to batting strategy and was likely chosen to calm tensions within the dressing room.
BCCI’s Review Meeting After Australia Tour
Following the tour of Australia, where Team India’s poor performance triggered criticism, the BCCI held a review meeting. The meeting included Secretary Devajit Saikia, Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, a national selector, and other key members of the Indian setup. This high-level evaluation is believed to have finalized the decision to restructure the support staff.
What’s Next for Indian Cricket?
As the Champions Trophy 2025 squad starts shaping up, fans and analysts alike are curious about the new coaching dynamics. With Team India’s support staff reshuffle, focus is now on building a cohesive unit ahead of the international tournament.
For those looking to follow updates:
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Visit the BCCI official website for the full press release
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Check Team India coaching changes on major news portals
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Watch the press conference video and highlights of the Australia tour
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Track Sitanshu Kotak’s BCCI profile for insights into his approach
Final Thoughts
The removal of Abhishek Nayar, T Dilip, and Soham Desai has stirred conversations across Indian cricket circles. While some see it as a necessary change after India’s coaching failure in Australia, others believe it reflects deeper tensions and politics within the team.
Whether this decision leads to better results remains to be seen, but it certainly signals a new chapter in Indian cricket coaching strategy ahead of the high-stakes Champions Trophy 2025.
Also Read: Why Rashid Khan is flopping with the ball in IPL 2025?