BCCI revamps team India’s coaching staff post-Australia debacle

In the wake of a disappointing Test series defeat in Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated sweeping changes to the national team’s coaching setup.

Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T Dilip have been relieved of their duties following India’s 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 — the team’s first series defeat down under in three tours.

Despite a strong rebound with white-ball series wins over England at home and a triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in Dubai, the BCCI appears unswayed by recent successes, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for underperformance — particularly in overseas conditions.

According to a report, along with Nayar and Dilip, strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai and a team masseur have also been shown the door. Notably, Dilip had been retained from the previous coaching regime under Rahul Dravid, while Nayar was inducted just nine months ago under the leadership of new head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir’s support staff saw further additions last year, including assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and bowling coach Morne Morkel. The BCCI had already made a notable intervention in January by installing Sitanshu Kotak — a coach from the National Cricket Academy and India A — as the new batting coach.

In the latest development, ten Doeschate will reportedly double up as the team’s fielding coach in the absence of Dilip. Meanwhile, according to a national daily report Punjab Kings’ sports scientist Adrian le Roux is set to join the Indian team post-IPL 2025, filling the vacancy left by Desai.

The comprehensive reshuffle of team India’s backroom staff underscores the BCCI’s firm stance: overseas failures, no matter the domestic or tournament recoveries, will come at a cost.

The revamped coaching contingent's first test will be a challenging five-match series in England, kicking off in June.