BCCI reportedly removed key support staff members following India’s Test series loss in Australia earlier this year.
In the aftermath of India’s disappointing Test series loss in Australia earlier this year, the BCCI has reportedly shown the exit door to several members of the men’s team support staff, including assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and trainer Soham Desai.
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, Abhishek Nayar, who had been part of the Indian setup for just eight months, was relieved of his duties. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to make an official announcement, but with the team scheduled to tour England in June for a five-match Test series, confirmation may be imminent.
The report also mentioned that the BCCI has issued a directive stating that support staff who have been with the team for more than three years could be removed. T Dilip, known for his innovative approach to fielding drills and his popular “fielding medal” initiative, and Soham Desai, the team’s trainer for the past three years, were also removed, as per the report.
A BCCI source told The Indian Express, “Nayar, Dilip and Soham have been informed about it last week. The Indian board will not have any new appointee as of now.” The BCCI has already aligned certain replacements. Former Saurashtra batter Sitanshu Kotak continues to be associated with the team, and Ryan ten Doeschate will stay in his current role.
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Adrian le Roux, a seasoned sports scientist who is currently with the Punjab Kings and previously worked with Kolkata Knight Riders and the Indian team in the early 2000s, is set to replace Desai after IPL 2025. His deal with BCCI has reportedly been finalised.
India’s tour of Australia had started on a promising note, with a resounding win in Perth, raising hopes of a third consecutive Test series victory Down Under after successes in 2018-19 and 2020-21. However, Australia bounced back strongly with a 10-wicket win in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, followed by a draw in Brisbane.
The hosts then defeated India by 184 runs in the fourth Test in Melbourne, before sealing the series with a six-wicket win in the final Test in Sydney, crushing India’s hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
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