Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the new head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The move marks a promotion for Nayar, who served as assistant coach under Chandrakant Pandit last year, after returning to the franchise following a brief stint with the Indian national team setup.
Nayar recently took charge as head coach of the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League, further expanding his coaching portfolio.
“Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders setup since 2018, shaping our players both on and off the field,” said KKR CEO Venky Mysore. “His understanding of the game and his connection with players have been key to our growth. We’re thrilled to see him lead KKR into its next chapter.”
A seasoned domestic allrounder, the 42-year-old represented Mumbai for over a decade and played three ODIs for India in 2009. His coaching journey began in 2018 when he was appointed lead coach of the KKR Academy before joining the senior support staff as assistant coach. He later served as head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2022 CPL.
Nayar’s professional rapport with Gautam Gambhir has been central to his rise in coaching circles. The duo worked closely at KKR and later reunited when Gambhir took over as India’s head coach, with Nayar serving as his assistant. However, his tenure with the national side ended earlier this year after a BCCI performance review, leading to his return to KKR ahead of IPL 2025.
Nayar steps in following KKR’s decision to part ways with Chandrakant Pandit after three seasons. Under Pandit, KKR lifted the IPL title in 2024—ending a decade-long drought—but endured a disappointing campaign in 2025, finishing eighth with just five wins. Pandit has since returned to Madhya Pradesh cricket as Director of Cricket Operations.
The franchise is also expected to overhaul its coaching setup further, with bowling consultant Bharat Arun and spin consultant Carl Crowe both moving to Lucknow Super Giants.
With Nayar at the helm, KKR will look to rebuild and reignite their championship ambitions in IPL 2026.
