Abhishek Nayar becomes new KKR head coach before IPL 2026 auction

The Kolkat Knight Riders (KKR) failed to qualify in IPL knockouts thrice in last four seasons. They are not at all consistent.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have finally pressed the reset button. After yet another underwhelming IPL season this year, the franchise has decided to hand over the reins to Abhishek Nayar, promoting him as their new head coach ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The formal announcement has come after Nayar was informed about the decision last week. He has replaced Chandrakant Pandit, who joined the team in 2022 and won the IPL 2024 alongside Gautam Gambhir, who was the mentor at that time and Shreyas Iyer, who was the captain.

It’s a deserving rise for Nayar, who has long been the team’s unsung architect. For years, Nayar has quietly shaped cricketers behind the scenes, improving their fitness, and rebuilding their confidence and providing them with insights. Whether it be Varun Chakaravarthy and Rinku Singh at KKR, or helping Rohit Sharma lose weight and also aiding KL Rahul in the off-season. Now, he gets a chance to do it from the dugout as the man in charge.

KKR turn to Nayar after Pandit’s exit

KKR’s decision comes after the franchise chose to part ways with Chandrakant Pandit, whose methods reportedly didn’t align with the T20 setup. Having failed to qualify for the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, Kolkata were desperate for a course correction. Nayar, who has been part of the team’s think tank for years, emerged as the natural successor. While there were rumours that KKR might look at former leader Eoin Morgan, it turns out to be another left-hander, Nayar, who has previously featured for the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Nayar has been part of KKR’s backroom staff since 2018 apart from a brief stint as assistant coach with the Indian team. Before that, he was instrumental in running KKR’s academy and shaping young players through the franchise’s development system. His elevation, therefore, isn’t a gamble but a culmination of years of work that the players already respect.

Speaking about Nayar’s appointment, Venky Mysore, the CEO of KKR, said, “Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders setup since 2018, shaping our players both on and off the field. His understanding of the game and connection with players have been key to our growth. We’re thrilled to see him take over as Head Coach and lead KKR into it’s next chapter.”

Deserving chance for Abhishek Nayar

Beyond his franchise role, Nayar’s reputation in Indian cricket is built on transformation stories. He’s been the go-to mentor for several top cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and KL Rahul, helping them rediscover form, confidence, and fitness. Recently, he guided Rohit through a remarkable physical transformation, shedding over 10 kilograms and regaining his match fitness ahead of India’s white-ball return. As of yesterday, Rohit made a stupendous comeback, winning the Player of the Series award in Australia after smashing his 50th international century.

Nayar also took charge of the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier this year, adding another feather to his coaching résumé. Now, the responsibility will be on Nayar and will have a say in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. Before that in November, there’ll be IPL retentions as well.