Abhishek Nayar appointed head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026

Former India allrounder Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The move marks a promotion for Nayar, who served as assistant coach under Chandrakant Pandit during the 2025 season.

Nayar, who recently took charge as head coach of the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), has been a key figure in the Knight Riders’ setup since 2018. During his tenure, he has played a significant role in shaping the team’s culture and nurturing talent within the KKR academy.

“Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders setup since 2018, shaping our players both on and off the field,” said Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR. “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, now 42, enjoyed a long domestic career with Mumbai and represented India in three ODIs in 2009. After retiring from playing in 2019, he transitioned into coaching, first taking charge of the KKR Academy and later serving as an assistant coach with the main team. He also held the position of head coach of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2022.

During his stint with KKR, Nayar developed a strong rapport with Gautam Gambhir, who later became India’s national head coach. Nayar briefly joined Gambhir’s staff as assistant coach of the Indian men’s team, but his contract was terminated following a BCCI performance review, prompting his return to KKR before IPL 2025.

KKR’s decision to elevate Nayar comes after the franchise parted ways with Chandrakant Pandit, who guided the team to its third IPL title in 2024 but oversaw a disappointing campaign in 2025, when KKR finished eighth with just five wins. Pandit has since taken over as director of cricket at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association.

The reshuffle within the KKR coaching setup is expected to continue, with the franchise also seeking replacements for bowling consultant Bharat Arun and spin-bowling consultant Carl Crowe, both of whom have moved to Lucknow Super Giants.

With his dual responsibilities at KKR and UP Warriorz, Nayar now stands among the most prominent young Indian coaches shaping the next generation of cricketers across formats.