New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday appointed former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach, succeeding Chandrakant Pandit after his three-season stint with the franchise.

Nayar, who has been associated with KKR since 2018, has long been considered a central figure in the team’s think-tank and decision-making process. Known for his strong influence in the dressing room, he has played a major role in shaping team selection and player development.

For nearly nine months, Nayar had served as part of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching setup with the national team, but was later replaced by Sitanshu Kotak following India’s Champions Trophy victory.

"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," said Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Over the years, Nayar has been an integral part of the KKR support staff and academy structure, helping groom several emerging talents. The 43-year-old, who represented India in three ODIs, is widely respected as a personal coach and has worked individually with players such as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik, alongside mentoring his protégé Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

With inputs from PTI