Team India's internal politics intensifies as reports claim Abhishek Nayar was sacked due to 'turf war', Gambhir did not object

Indian cricket team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was sacked from his role on Thursday as a result of the team’s poor performance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not confirmed the news officially, secretary Devajit Saikia also did not refute the reports.

Nayar was questioned by many experts after Team India batters, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, had a horrible tour of Australia. Kohli and Rohit together scored just 221 runs in a five-match Test series. However, some players, including KL Rahul, have recently praised Nayar for his support.

Also, after the disaster Down Under, the Indian team won the Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year.

Abhishek Nayar pays price for Gambhir’s fight with seniors?

Considering all of this, the timing of Nayar’s sacking has come under scrutiny. And a BCCI source has told news agency PTI that Nayar was sacked as a result of a “turf war” between an important member of the support staff and a senior player.

“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.

Fans are speculating that Nayar’s sacking is a result of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s fight with one of the senior players.

Gambhir did not object to Nayar’s sacking

A source also confirmed to Hindustan Times that Gambhir was informed about Nayar’s removal but the former opener did not intervene.

“The board officials took feedback from senior cricketers and some were not happy with Nayar’s role inside the dressing room. He was informed about the non-renewal of his contract a few days ago,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.

“Gambhir didn’t oppose (to Nayar’s sacking). He had to go through a lot of negotiations to bring ten Doechate and Morkel on board. There was no way he was going to let them go this early,” the source added.

Besides Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai were also removed by the BCCI. Dilip, who joined the side under former coach Rahul Dravid, was retained as fielding coach after Gambhir’s recommendation but has now been shown the door as per BCCI’s news Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which says that support staff will have a tenure of a maximum of three years.

BCCI says things will become clear in near future

BCCI secretary Saikia was contacted by PTI to confirm Nayar’s dismissal, however, the official refused to divulge any details at the moment.

“Certain things are being finalised. You will receive a press note from BCCI in some days,” Saikia said.

The 41-year-old Nayar joined Team India after Gambhir took over as coach. He had earlier worked with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders.