'I think that’s his forte as a coach' - Shreyas Iyer backs assistant coach Abhishek Nayar's capabilities amid criticism

Team India's assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, is under scrutiny after the end of the New Zealand and Australia series. As per reports, the Board has asked the senior players to give feedback about the assistant coach as they are planning to onboard a batting coach, especially for the batters. While talking to The Indian Express in an interview, star India batter Shreyas Iyer stood by the assistant coach and spoke about how great Nayar is at his job. 

"Abhishek doesn’t talk to the players much about their mindset. He just tries to make each and everyone comfortable around him. And he tries to gain knowledge about the background they come from, their mindset, and how they react in a given situation. And culminating all these factors, he tries and executes certain things while practising with them. So, I think that’s his forte as a coach," said Shreyas Iyer during an interview.

When the head coach Gautam Gambhir joined the team, he brought in the support staff with him, including Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel, and Ryan Tendoscante who were with Gambhir in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2024. However, after the India team's consecutive failed performances, there is a high chance that the Board will take stern steps against the management if anything goes wrong in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. 

He won’t be hell-bent towards changing your technique or anything: Shreyas Iyer

Speaking about the assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, Iyer also mentioned how understanding he is as a coach and how he doesn't interfere much with the players' techniques. Nayar allows the players to enjoy the game and not think much about the results. The positive mindset is what makes him unique compared to the other coaches, as Iyer said in the interview. 

"And whenever he gives you a point, or whenever he tries to improve something in your skills, he won’t be hell-bent towards changing your technique or anything. He would let you be yourself. And he would let you enjoy the sport more than thinking or overthinking about a particular point. And that’s one of the best things about him that makes him a bit different from other coaches," added Shreyas Iyer.