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Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar named Kolkata Knight Riders head coach for IPL 2026, replacing Chandrakant Pandit.
Abhishek Nayar is KKR’s new head coach (Picture Credit: X/@KKRiders)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced Abhishek Nayar as head coach for the ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Thursday.
Nayar, previously an assistant coach for the Indian team and part of the support staff that clinched the 2025 Champions Trophy, replaces Chandrakant Pandit. The two-time champions parted ways with Pandit after failing to qualify for the 2025 IPL playoffs.
Nayar returned to the KKR coaching staff mid-season in IPL 2025 as an assistant coach following the conclusion of his tenure with the Indian team.
“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 its next chapter,” said Venky Mysore, CEO, Kolkata Knight Riders.
What Has Abhishek Nayar Done?
Nayar boasts extensive coaching credentials through his long-term association with KKR in the IPL and his work with Indian players such as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer. He is recognised in cricket circles for his ability to spot emerging talent.
Since joining KKR in 2018, Nayar has led the KKR academy and was part of the coaching staff that guided KKR to the IPL 2024 title. Players like Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Varun Chakaravarthy have credited Nayar’s influence in their development as reliable players for the franchise.
Nayar also serves as head coach of UP Warriorz (UPW) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a position he took on in July 2025 after Jon Lewis’s departure. Observers will be keen to see how Nayar juggles head coaching duties for two different teams in separate T20 franchise leagues in India.
Nayar’s immediate task as KKR’s head coach will be to devise a strong strategy for the franchise in the mini auction, scheduled for December this year, ahead of the 2026 season of the ten-team competition. Before that, he will be formulating strategies for UPW to excel in the WPL mega auction, expected in the last week of November.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
October 30, 2025, 16:21 IST
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