Abhishek Nayar appointed as new head coach of KKR Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, replacing Chandrakant Pandit, who served for three seasons including the championship-winning season of 2024. Nayar, who has been part of the KKR set-up since 2018 and was recently appointed as the head coach of the UP Warriors in the Women’s Premier League, will lead the franchise into its next chapter, working alongside mentor Dwayne Bravo.The franchise made the announcement after Pandit’s exit earlier this year, continuing its tradition of appointing Indian coaches at the helm. Nayar, 42, brings extensive coaching experience and is recognized for his contemporary and progressive coaching methods.
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“Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders set-up since 2018 and has shaped our players on and off the field. His understanding of the game and connection with the players has been key to our growth. We are thrilled to have him take over as head coach and lead KKR into its next chapter,” said Venky Mysore, CEO, KKR.Nayar’s association with KKR dates back to 2018 when he joined the support team and has maintained his role continuously except for the 2025 season when his involvement was limited due to commitments with the Indian national team. During this period, he served as an assistant coach with the Indian team.His coaching skills are evident from his successful one-on-one collaborations with several prominent Indian cricketers. KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma have trained under him, with Rohit particularly praising Nayar for his recent revival in form.The franchise values Nayar’s holistic player-centric philosophy and modern coaching approach. His appointment comes at a time when KKR are undergoing changes in their coaching set-up, with former bowling coach Bharat Arun moving to Lucknow SuperGiants.
