Kolkata Knight Riders have officially appointed Abhishek Nayar as KKR new Head Coach for IPL 2026.
Abhishek Nayar appointed as the Head Coach of KKR for IPL 2026
The 42-year-old, who earlier served as KKR’s assistant coach, will now take full charge of the team’s strategy and performance.
Nayar has been associated with Kolkata since 2018 and has played a major role in developing several young players. He replaces Chandrakant Pandit, who left the franchise after the 2025 season.
Abhishek Nayar Coaching Experience
Abhishek Nayar enjoyed a long domestic career as an all-rounder for Mumbai and represented India in three ODIs in 2009. After retiring in 2019, he became the lead coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders Academy and later joined the main support staff.
He also coached the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2022 and recently served as the KKR new Head Coach of the UP Warriors in the Women’s Premier League.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore said, “Abhishek has been a vital part of the Knight Riders setup since 2018, shaping our players both on and off the field. His understanding of the game and connection with players have been key to our growth. We’re thrilled to see him take over as Head Coach and lead KKR into its next chapter.”
Updated Strategy with Enthusiasm
Over the past few years, KKR won the IPL trophy in 2024 under Chandrakant Pandit, but the 2025 season was a downer for them.
The team finished eighth in the points table, after which Pandit took up the role of Director of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association.
Abhishek Nayar is expected to bring a upgrade energy and direction to the team.
Nayar previously worked alongside Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata and later became assistant coach for the Indian team before returning to the Knight Riders.
The franchise is also planning further changes to its coaching setup. With Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and Carl Crowe (spin-bowling coach) moving to Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders may soon introduce latest names in their support staff.
Under Abhishek Nayar’s leadership, Kolkata looks ready to make a strong comeback in IPL 2026, with a new strategy, determination, and enthusiasm to reclaim their winning glory.
