“He doesn’t leave the ground until…”

India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill finally spoke about Abhishek Nayar’s role in India’s coaching staff. Gill is currently with Team India for the tour of Sri Lanka. The team will play three T20Is and three ODIs on the tour.

Abhishek Nayar was appointed India’s new assistant coach by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the recommendation by the new head coach Gautam Gambhir. This will be the first assignment for both Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar as part of India’s coaching staff.

Both Gambhir and Nayar have previously worked in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching staff together. In IPL 2024, Gautam Gambhir was KKR’s mentor while Abhishek Nayar served as the team’s assistant coach. KKR went on to clinch the title as the duo of Gambhir and Nayar proved to be successful.

Also read: Shubman Gill under pressure? India star reveals a key difference after vice-captaincy promotion

Shubman Gill breaks silence on Abhishek Nayar’s role in Team India

While speaking to the media, Shubman Gill opened up about working with Abhishek Nayar in the Indian team. Gill claimed that Nayar is very hard-working and does not leave the ground until every player is fully satisfied.

“He (Abhishek Nayar) is very hard-working. His work on the ground is visible. He doesn’t leave the ground until all the players are satisfied with their skills. I think that’s his biggest specialty,” Gill said.

Shubman Gill whole Press Conference
He talk about many importat thing Must Watch PC pic.twitter.com/EGZZSx4h8S

— Ahmed (@AhmedSG77) July 25, 2024

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Nayar have previously worked with Kolkata Knight Riders before. Gill used to play for KKR before coming to Gujarat Titans for their first edition of IPL 2022. He played for KKR during 2018-2021.

Abhishek Nayar’s contribution to KKR

Meanwhile, Abhishek Nayar was also associated with KKR since 2018 as the team’s assistant coach. He was with the Knight Riders till IPL 2024 before leaving the IPL team to join Team India. Nayar has been credited with developing numerous players for KKR over the years. His work ethic has been praised by the players and the support staff as well.

Both Gill and Nayar worked for four years together before Gill was released by KKR before the IPL 2022 auction and was eventually picked up by Gujarat Titans.

Abhishek Nayar is credited with reviving the career of former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik. Karthik was woefully out of form and was running out of the reckoning for Team India. But he made a comeback to international cricket as a finisher, thanks to Abhishek Nayar.

Not only Karthik, but Nayar has also played a pivotal role in the rise of Shreyas Iyer as the batter emerged as the mainstay in India’s middle order in white-ball cricket. Nayar has also worked as the head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

India tour of Sri Lanka will begin on July 27 with the three-match T20I series. The T20Is will take place in Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30. Meanwhile, the ODIs will be played in Colombo on August 2, 4, and 7.