Abhishek Nayar made the fall guy? Report highlights rift in Team India

BCCI have sacked batting coach Abhishek Nayar after BGT and New Zealand series loss. (Photo: BCCI)

Abhishek Nayar, the Indian cricket team's assistant coach, has been dismissed just eight months into his tenure. While official reasons cite the team's poor performances in Test series against New Zealand and Australia, there is speculation that a rift with a senior member of the support staff played a major role in his removal. According to board sources, Nayar has already been informed of the BCCI’s decision to terminate his services.

"While India's recent Test debacles (against New Zealand and Australia) has led to the churning but there is also a feeling in the BCCI that Nayar became a scapegoat in the turf war between an important member of the support staff and a senior star player," a BCCI source told PTI.

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Fielding coach T Dilip, and Strength and Conditioning coach Soham Desai are also on their way out after completing more than three years in their respective positions.

The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the BCCI has capped the support staff's tenure at three years.

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It is learnt that India's first ever Strength and Conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux is likely to return for a second stint. The South African is widely credited for ushering in a new fitness culture in the then Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team during the 2003 World Cup.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, when contacted by PTI, chose to sidestep the query.

"Certain things are being finalised. You will receive a press note from BCCI in some days," Saikia said when asked about the development.

The 41-year-old Nayar, a former all-rounder who played three ODIs but was largely a domestic stalwart with 103 first-class games, didn't respond to a text message sent by PTI. (With PTI inputs)