Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, replacing Chandrakant Pandit who served three seasons including the championship-winning 2024 season. Nayar, who has been part of the KKR setup since 2018 and recently appointed as UP Warriorz head coach in the Women’s Premier League, will lead the franchise into its next chapter while working alongside mentor Dwayne Bravo.The franchise made the announcement following Pandit’s departure earlier this year, continuing their tradition of appointing Indian coaches at the helm. Nayar, 42, brings extensive coaching experience and is recognized for his contemporary and progressive coaching methods.
“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,” said Venky Mysore, the CEO of KKR.Nayar’s association with KKR dates back to 2018 when he joined the support staff, maintaining his role continuously except for the 2025 season when his involvement was limited due to commitments with the Indian national team. He served as an assistant coach with the Indian team during this period.His coaching prowess is evident through his successful one-on-one work with several prominent Indian cricketers. KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma have trained under his guidance, with Rohit particularly crediting Nayar for his recent resurgence 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 structure, with former bowling coach Bharat Arun having moved to Lucknow SuperGiants.
