By Admin 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finalised a major reshuffle in India’s men’s team’s support staff ahead of the new cycle beginning with the five-Test series in England from June.
Besides parting ways with two of the six coaching staff members – assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T. Dilip, the BCCI is also set to bring in fresh faces in the support staff.
The reshuffle is based on the feedback from the team management after a mixed bag of results in Gautam Gambhir’s early tenure as the India head coach.
Despite suffering consecutive Test series losses — against New Zealand in India and in Australia – last year, India’s ODI team salvaged pride by reclaiming the Champions Trophy last month.
“There are a few changes in the team’s coaching staff and support staff. It will be officially announced soon,” a BCCI official said, preferring anonymity, while confirming that coaching staff is being trimmed.
The fact that a sword was hanging over Nayar’s head was evident with Shitanshu Kotak’s induction as batting coach immediately after the tour to Australia. It is understood that Nayar – expected to be a bridge between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma – did not draw positive feedback from various members of the team management in the review meetings conducted by the BCCI hierarchy over the last couple of months.
Dilip, the only surviving member of the previous coaching dispensation headed by Rahul Dravid, has been relieved to ensure specific role allotments to the new members.
For the tour of England, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate is set to be handed charge of the fielding department, with Kotak taking care of the bowling group. Morne Morkel will continue to be the bowling coach.
With Nitin Patel, the chief of the medical wing at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, deciding to part ways with the BCCI, the team’s support staff is also set for a revamp. Adrian Le Roux is set to replace strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, while a new recovery specialist (masseur) is set to be appointed in place of Arun Kanade.
Le Roux – the South African who was at the forefront of introducing modern fitness awareness to Indian cricket during his stint with the team in the early 2000s – will return to the national team fold right after finishing his assignment with the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Published – April 17, 2025 12:33 pm IST