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News18
10 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Abhishek Nayar Reveals: 'Rohit Sharma Wanted Me To Bring The Best Out Of KL Rahul'
Last Updated: Abhishek Nayar has revealed Rohit Sharma urged him to bring out a more aggressive outlook and the 'best of' KL Rahul. Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar has revealed that Rohit Sharma had urged him to bring out a 'more aggressive outlook' and the 'best' version of KL Rahul. According to him, Rohit was a firm believer in Rahul's abilities and how he could play a major role for India in the 2023-25 cycle. Nayar joined Gautam Gambhir's coaching staff as an assistant coach from Kolkata Knight Riders in July 2024. Though Gambhir's tenure saw white-ball success, the BCCI let Nayar go after the 3-1 defeat to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mostly working with batters, his eight-month tenure left a lot to be desired in terms of fixing the same pattern of mistakes in several players. However, Rahul wasn't one of them, with the right-hander finally showing signs of realising his potential with consistent runs across formats and conditions. During IPL 2025, Rahul name-dropped Nayar, saying the Mumbaikar had spent hours working on his game and helped him enjoy it again. 'When I first picked up that role, I remember I had a conversation with Rohit, and he said that one of the things he was really keen on me doing was working with KL and bringing out a more aggressive outlook to how KL played the game, and bringing the best out of him because he believed strongly that KL would play a major role in the Champions Trophy, World Cup and everything going forward including the BGT [Border-Gavaskar Trophy] and the Tests in England," Nayar told ESPNcricinfo in an interview. Nayar revealed that he and Rahul made a one-month plan in the lead-up to the Australia tour, and the coach won the pupil's trust with hours of conversations, before bringing in technical and mental changes. The methods were an instant hit when Rahul, opening the batting in the first Test in Perth in Rohit's absence, scored 26 and 77 — both important in India's win. 'A coach has to be lucky," Nayar said. 'How lucky that in his first game in Australia he got runs in the second innings and in the first also he got a start. That gave him a bit of believability. There are times when the glue just sticks. That was the moment the glue stuck. He really enjoyed that knock. He told me, listen, I feel like I am just watching and playing. It's music to me now, playing the sport." Though Rahul didn't score a century on the tour, it helped him solidify his place in the set-up again. 'I remember we met someone, and he jokingly said, coach, you need to teach me how to score hundreds. And we were laughing in banter. I was like, dude, sometimes hundreds are just luck," Nayar recalled. His consistency has eked out to England, where he hit 42 and 137 at Headingley, although in a losing cause. Abhishek Nayar on outside noise's impact on KL Rahul Nayar also explained why, before this phase, Rahul was unable to fulfill his potential. 'There is outside noise, there are expectations that one has from oneself, expectations that somehow over the years people and yourself, you infuse into your mind," Nayar said. 'So you start thinking this is what you need to do, and this is what you need to achieve, and people keep talking about your potential and your talent, and you keep adding more pressure saying that because everyone thinks I'm talented and because I have the potential, I need to live up to it, and those expectations sometimes weigh on you your shoulders, and those expectations sometimes really pull you down in a lot of ways and don't let you be you. That was something that I think was one of those things that was holding him back," he added.
Deccan Herald
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
Rohit wanted me to bring aggressive outlook to KL Rahul's batting: Abhishek Nayar
However, Nayar had to leave the job after India's 1-3 series defeat against Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India.com
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Rohit Sharma Wanted A More Aggressive KL Rahul, Reveals Former Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has opened up about his behind-the-scenes work with KL Rahul, revealing that it was ODI skipper Rohit Sharma who first suggested that Nayar help Rahul unlock a more aggressive and impactful version of his game. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Nayar recalled the pivotal conversation with Rohit that set the foundation for his coaching stint with Rahul. "When I first took on the role, I remember having a conversation with Rohit. He was very clear, he wanted me to work closely with KL and bring out a more aggressive outlook in his game. Rohit believed strongly that KL could be a major asset in key tournaments like the Champions Trophy, the World Cup, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the Test series in England," Nayar said. That faith seemed justified when Rahul showcased his talent in the second innings of the opening Test against England at Headingley, crafting a composed 137 off 247 balls—a masterclass that reminded everyone of his technical brilliance and batting arsenal. Nayar, who was part of head coach Gautam Gambhir's initial setup but was later removed following a BCCI review after India's 3-1 Test series defeat in Australia, shared further insights into Rahul's journey. He recalled the pressure Rahul was under during that phase: "Australia was going to be critical. If he didn't get runs there, his future in the Test side—and possibly Indian cricket altogether- was uncertain. He was already out of the T20 setup, and this series could have been his last chance." Their collaboration began in earnest ahead of that Australia tour. Nayar asked Rahul to take ownership of his preparation: "We had 15 days before heading to Australia and another ten days after arrival, nearly a month. I asked him: What do you want to do? How do you want to approach this mentally and technically?" Through hours of dialogue and strategic input, Nayar gradually earned Rahul's trust. "He spoke about what had worked for him in the past, and I had a different thought process. Eventually, he opened up and allowed me to make changes, whether in his practice routines, his stance, his guard, or where he stood in the crease," said Nayar. While Nayar didn't delve into the exact technical adjustments they made, he did offer a glimpse into his coaching philosophy: "All I can say is, I always try to address the skill first, and then use skill as a gateway to influence the mind. The goal is to use practice not just for muscle memory, but to reassure the mind that the plan will work." He emphasized that Rahul's focus during this period wasn't on outcomes, but on tactical execution. "We added small but significant tactical nuances to his game. This way, instead of worrying about results, his focus remained entirely on following and executing those plans with precision." However, Rahul's journey hasn't been without setbacks. Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India played a three-match Test series at home against New Zealand. Rahul was dismissed cheaply in the first two matches, once while flicking to the leg side, and the other time by a peach of a delivery. He watched from the sidelines as Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan dominated the Kiwi bowlers, but India still succumbed to a historic 3-0 series whitewash. Rahul didn't feature in the last two Tests. Reflecting on the ups and downs, Nayar said, "That was the beginning of our working relationship. And for KL, that Australia series was make-or-break." With Nayar's tactical guidance and Rohit Sharma's unwavering belief, KL Rahul found the tools and mindset needed to tackle some of the toughest phases in his career. His resurgence in the longer format, as demonstrated in England, is a testament to the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed.
News18
12 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Bumrah & Shardul OUT, Kuldeep IN? India's Likely Playing XI For 2nd England Test
Last Updated: The second Test of the ongoing five-match series between India and England will be played at Edgbaston from July 2 to 6. The second Test of the ongoing five-match series between India and England will be played from July 2 to 6 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. After losing the series opener in Leeds by five wickets, India would like to come up with a big show in the second match and level the series. According to reports in Indian media, star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the second Test as part of his workload management. Bumrah, who is the world's No. 1 Test bowler, was India's best bowler in the series opener. He picked up five wickets in the first innings. In addition to Bumrah, Shardul Thakur is also likely to lose his place in the playing XI. Shardul bowled only six overs for India in the first innings and failed to impress with his batting as well. One out of Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep is likely to replace Bumrah for the second Test. Akash Deep has played seven Tests for India so far, whereas Arshdeep is yet to make his red-ball debut. The left-arm pacer from Punjab is a regular member of India's white-ball teams and also has played county cricket in England. As Shardul's replacement, the team management will have a choice to make between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Kuldeep Yadav. Nitish played all five Tests against Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and in addition to his batting, he can contribute with the ball as well, whereas Kuldeep is India's specialist spinner. Many former greats and experts of the game have batted for Kuldeep's selection in India's playing XI for the second red-ball match in Edgbaston. As far as batting is concerned, Indian team management is unlikely to make any change. As many as four batters—Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant—scored five centuries for India in the first Test, and there will be expectations of a similar performance from them in the second match as well. Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair failed to do much with the bat in Leeds, but they are unlikely to lose their place after just one match. As far as the England team is concerned, Jofra Archer was added to the squad for the second Test on Thursday, and he could make his much-awaited Test return in Edgbaston. First Published: June 26, 2025, 21:11 IST
India Gazette
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Abhishek Nayar reveals Rohit wanted him to work with KL Rahul to bring best out of him
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar revealed that ODI captain Rohit Sharma wanted him to work with KL Rahul and bring out a more 'aggressive' outlook as well as the best out of him. Rahul has flummoxed everyone with his technical prowess and impressive artillery. The most recent reminder that Rahul delivered was in the second innings of the opening Test against England at Headingley. Rahul dazzled on the crease with a composed 137 from 247 deliveries, a knock that was a sight for sore eyes. Nayar, who was named in head coach Gautam Gambhir's initial regime, reminisced about the time when former Test captain Rohit asked him to work with Rahul, as the 'Hitman' had a strong belief in the 33-year-old's capability to play a significant role in India. 'When I first picked up that role, I remember I had a conversation with Rohit, and he said that one of the things he was really keen on me doing was working with KL and bringing out a more aggressive outlook to how KL played the game, and bringing the best out of him. Because he believed strongly that KL would play a major role in the Champions Trophy, World Cup and everything going forward, including the BGT [Border-Gavaskar Trophy] and the Tests in England,' Nayar, who was removed from the position after a BCCI review following the 3-1 series loss in Australia, told ESPNcricinfo. Before the BGT series, India squared off against New Zealand in a three-match Test series on home soil. In the series opener, Rahul got out while tickling the delivery that went towards the leg side. In the second, he got out on a peach of a delivery and then witnessed Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan boss the Kiwis with their flamboyant approach. Eventually, India collapsed and lost the opening Test. Rahul didn't play in the next two Tests as India fell to a historic 3-0 series whitewash. 'I think that was sort of the inception [of our relationship]. Australia was going to be critical for him because it was almost like, what if you didn't get runs there, then where is his career going? Because he was out of the T20 [squad]. Then this could also very well have been his last series,' Nayar said. 'I told him, listen, we've got 15 days to prepare before we go to Australia, and take those ten days there, we have got almost month to prepare - what do you want to do? How do you want to approach this? What is your mindset?' he continued. 'He spoke about what he's been doing and what worked for him in the past. And then I had a certain thought process, which was very different from his. Over hours and hours of conversation and trying to make him understand where I came from, eventually, I got him to a place where he sort of trusted me to do certain things with him in regards to how he practises, in regards to trusting certain changes in his tactics, in regards to his stance, where he stands in the crease, what guard he takes,' Nayar added. Nayar didn't give out the secret sauce and the tweaks he made that allowed Rahul to thrive but gave a sneak peek into the approach that he adopted and said, 'All I can tell you is, the way I've always tried to handle things is to first try and address the skill, and then use skill as a medium to address the mind. That's as much as I can tell you in terms of details.' 'It's about using practice to give his mind reassurance with the plan that we have, and what he needs to do to execute it. And then adding a lot of tactical nuances to that so that it gives him a slight edge when he's batting. So his focus is totally on following and executing those tactical adjustments and nuances rather than focusing on the result of it,' Nayar added. (ANI)
