The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering reducing Team India’s extensive support staff ahead of the England tour, which could see assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T Dilip parting ways. According to a Dainik Jagran report, the decision is likely to be finalized in a high-profile meeting on March 29 in Guwahati, where BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Gautam Gambhir will be present.
When Gambhir took over as India’s head coach following Rahul Dravid’s departure after the T20 World Cup victory, he introduced a fresh coaching setup. He became the first India coach to bring in two assistant coaches—Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar—alongside bowling coach Morne Morkel. This marked a shift from the fully Indian support staff seen under Ravi Shastri and Dravid. Later, after India’s home series defeats against New Zealand and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI appointed Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach.
Despite India’s impressive white-ball success, clinching two ICC trophies in just nine months, their red-ball performance has been concerning. The team has won just one of their last nine Test matches, losing six. With a crucial five-match Test series against England scheduled for June, the BCCI is pushing for a more streamlined coaching staff, ensuring selectors and players prioritize the A tour.
Dilip, the only remaining member from Dravid’s coaching era, may have overstayed his tenure, the report suggests. If he is removed, ten Doeschate could take over fielding responsibilities. Meanwhile, with Kotak already handling batting and Morkel in charge of the bowlers, the board sees no necessity for another assistant coach.
India’s current support staff extends beyond coaches, including three throwdown specialists, two massage therapists, a senior and a junior physiotherapist, a team doctor, a security and operations manager, a computer analyst, and several logistical and media managers. While many, such as long-serving throwdown specialist Raghavendra, are expected to retain their positions, Nayar and Dilip’s roles appear to be under serious scrutiny.
