The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially announced Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach. He steps into the shoes of Chandrakant Pandit, who led the team for three seasons, including their championship victory in 2024.
Nayar has been an integral part of the KKR organization since 2018. More recently, he also took on the role of head coach for the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League. Now, he’s set to guide the KKR franchise into its next phase, working closely with the esteemed mentor, Dwayne Bravo.
This appointment follows Pandit’s departure earlier this year and upholds KKR’s tradition of entrusting leadership to Indian coaches. At 42 years old, Nayar brings a wealth of coaching experience and is widely recognized for his modern, progressive methods.
Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointment: “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.”
Nayar’s dedication to KKR has been consistent since he joined the support staff in 2018, with his only limited involvement being during the 2025 season due to commitments with the Indian national team, where he served as an assistant coach.
His coaching effectiveness is particularly evident in his successful one-on-one training sessions with several top Indian cricketers. Players like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma have all benefited from his guidance, with Rohit Sharma specifically attributing his recent return to form to Nayar’s influence.
KKR highly values Nayar’s comprehensive, player-centric philosophy and his forward-thinking coaching strategies. This leadership change occurs as the franchise continues to evolve its coaching structure, especially after former bowling coach Bharat Arun transitioned to the Lucknow SuperGiants.