BCCI brings major changes to Team India's support staff, releases Abhishek Nayar, T Dilip, and Soham Desai

The BCCI is overhauling Team India's support staff, opting not to renew contracts for Abhishek Nayar (Assistant Coach), T Dilip (Fielding Coach), and Soham Desai (Strength & Conditioning Coach).

T Dilip, Abhishek Nayar and Soham Desai released by BCCI

Amidst all the high-octane cricketing action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is making significant changes to Team India's support staff. The Board has decided not to renew the contracts of three support members – Abhishek Nayar (Assistant Coach), T Dilip (Fielding Coach), and Soham Desai (Strength & Conditioning Coach). Their contracts were originally set to expire in June, but the decision to move on has come a little earlier than expected.

Abhishek Nayar, who had a brief yet influential stint with the national side, is expected to return to the familiar territory of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Nayar, with his deep understanding of the game, helped Indian batters regain their missing form. However, India's poor performance against New Zealand at home and a tough Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 campaign raised few questions.

Perhaps the most sentimental departure is that of fielding coach T Dilip. Known for his passion, precision, and positivity, Dilip played a key role in elevating India’s fielding standards. He brought in the now-famous "fielding medal" — a small gesture that went a long way in keeping spirits high in the dressing room.

Soham Desai, on the other hand, is set to be replaced by a familiar name, Adrian le Roux, who served Indian cricket during the early 2000s. Desai has been India's strength and conditioning coach since 2019. In his time with the team, he oversaw the fitness regime through several highs and lows, including World Cup campaigns and gruelling overseas tours.

Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel to continue with Team India

Not everyone is packing up. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and bowling coach Morne Morkel are set to stay on. Both have been well-received in the dressing room and are considered important figures in the team’s evolving structure.

The changes are clearly part of a broader shift under head coach Gautam Gambhir. What started as a smooth transition from the previous regime has now turned into a more assertive reset after a couple of rough series. Gambhir’s growing influence is reshaping not just the playing XI but the coaching setup too.

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