Former Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The role was left vacant after Chandrakant Pandit stepped down after a four-year stint following the IPL 2025 in order to explore the opportunities.

Kolkata Knight Riders had a disappointing season in the IPL 2025, where they failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing eighth on the points table. The KKR were the defending champions after winning the third IPL triumph last year, but the title defence fell apart due to inconsistent performances and a lack of form from key players. After Chandrakant Pandit stepped down as head coach after IPL 2024, the KKR management was in the hunt for a new coach ahead of IPL 2026.

As per the earlier reports, KKR finalized Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, as the management informed him about his appointment earlier, after a series of internal discussions and performance reviews.

Assistant Coach to Head Coach

Abhishek is already part of KKR's coaching staff as he served as an assistant coach, crediting for playing a key role in the team's IPL 2024 title triumph. The 45-year-old has had a long association with the Kolkata Knight Riders, as he joined the franchise as a mentor and head coach of their academy in 2018. Thereafter, Abhishek was promoted to the position of assistant coach, which he served from 2018 till 2024.

After KKR's IPL 2024 title triumph, Abhishek Nayar left the franchise's coaching staff after he was appointed as India's assistant coach and served under head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, a former Mumbai cricketer returned to KKR as an assistant coach after his contract was terminated by the BCCI following India's Test series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand and Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat to Australia in Australia.

Ahead of the IPL 2026 retention and release, Kolkata Knight Riders officially announced Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, replacing Chandrakant Pandit.

A new dawn is upon us ☀ twitter/hQZLFSuaCm

- KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 30, 2025

A new chapter begins in the Knight Riders' story ✍ twitter/4GgRVAlMdx

- KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 30, 2025

The New Order of Business: Head Coach Abhishek Nayar ✅ twitter/Kgqmgt6duM

- KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 30, 2025

Abhishek Nayar's appointment as head coach shows the franchise's faith in promoting experienced insiders who understand the team culture and can guide KKR back to competitive form in the upcoming IPL season.

KKR Fans Elated over Abhishek Nayar as Head Coach

Abhishek Nayar's appointment as the head coach has sent Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)'s fans into a frenzy as social media erupted with excitement, lauding the franchise for appointing a homegrown member who understands the team's core philosophy and dressing room culture.

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), KKR fans have not only lauded the franchise's decision to appoint Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach but also expressed their faith in him to revive the team and bring back the winning momentum that defined KKR's golden run in IPL 2024.

Welcome boro bhai Naim (@Naim20114) October 30, 2025

No one understands KKR's team culture inside and out like Nayar. Without a doubt he's the perfect man for this role⚡️Congratulations @abhisheknayar1 & let's make it four Nostalgia Merchant (@urstrulyJosh) October 30, 2025

Abhishek nayar is most knowledge guy about injury or mental conditioning.. I just watch his podcast super impressed.. But he should be given free hand u will then see results.. RAKSHITH (@Imrakshit45) October 30, 2025

KKR will definitely Do Well in this upcoming Season #IPL2026 Sumit Shankar Gaur (@sumitgr96) October 30, 2025

From being the silent strength behind KKR's rise to now leading the team as head coach Regaltos⚡️ (@GGKnight97) October 30, 2025

He deserves..congratulations to Abhishek. Santosh Says (@SmpPhukan) October 30, 2025

I am fully hopeful that KKR will be back to its glory days under the leadership of Nayar sir KKR_forever (@Distracted04Kkr) October 30, 2025

We will be dominating from next year to atleast 4/5 years mark it im03 (@ImKamran03) October 30, 2025

Since he spend lot time with GG in this 2 years.. Either he will be vital or other way(just like other mediocre coaches), there is no On between them!! Would love to get surprise endeed..Best Wishes. Bhanubhakta Sirpali (@Sirpalibhanu27) October 30, 2025

I dont object to this. In fact I actually like the decision of him being the head coach. He has been at KKR for a long time and would understand this team better than any other external coach. OCTANE (@octane_manages) October 30, 2025

Happy! No one more deserving than Abhishek Nayar for everything he's done for the franchise. Priyam Ghose (@PriyamGhose) October 30, 2025

Great decision by KKR management he knows very well KKR player & how to make perfect team @abhisheknayar1

- Shahid Afridi (@Im_Shahid_4) October 30, 2025

Abhishek Nayar's first major task will be to finalize the list of players to be retained and released, working closely with the team management ahead of IPL 2026.

The 45-year-old will be handed with responsibility to resurrect KKR's culture, instill a winning culture and mindset, and steer the team back into playoff contention in the upcoming IPL season. With coaching experience under his belt after retiring as a professional cricketer, Abhishek Nayar is set to bring tactical acumen, a player-based approach, and leadership to guide KKR to their fourth IPL triumph in the upcoming season of the tournament.

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