Abhishek Nayar reveals why his return to KKR was fast after the India team

Former India assistant head coach Abhishek Nayar dubbed KKR as his family as he explained why his return to the franchise was fast-tracked. The KKR batting coach, who was a part of Gautam Gambhir’s support staff after joining the team in 2024, was axed following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Nayar then made his way back to KKR, the same team that he was a part of before joining Team India.

Nayar’s return to KKR explained

Speaking to news agency PTI, Nayar said that his lighting fast return to KKR is testament to the fact that he belonged to the side. Abhishek was a part of the support staff for the Shreyas Iyer-led team that helped KKR win their 3rd IPL title in 2024. While Nayar continues to stick with KKR, the team is now on the hunt for a new head coach after sacking Chandrakant Pandit.

“KKR is family to me. Everyone throws his weight way too much around the fact that it’s family, but for me, I think it’s family because the speed at which I came back [to the team] was a testimony to the fact that this is where I belong to many ways,Said Nayar.

Meanwhile, Nayar has also been roped in as the new head coach for WPL side UP Warriorz. The stint mark’s the KKR coach’s first one as a full-time coach for a senior team.

“In just the past 18 months alone, Abhishek has been part of three championship-winning campaigns, each in a different role, each leaving a lasting impact. We are thrilled to have him lead a Warriorz side that’s united, fearless, and hungry to grow. With Abhishek at the helm, we believe this group can do something truly special,” Kshemal Waingankar, COO and director of cricket at UPW, told ESPNcricinfo.

Nayar has longstanding ties with KKR. He has been part of the franchise since 2018. He has worked as the head of the KKR Academy and was the batting coach last year when they lifted their first IPL trophy in 10 years.