Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is set to take charge as the head coach of the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in the 2026 season. On October 30, the franchise announced that the former Mumbai batter would replace Chandrakant Pandit, who completed his tenure after the IPL 2025 campaign.

Although this will be Nayar’s first stint as head coach of the franchise, he has been part of the KKR setup since 2018, working with players in the support staff and academy.

Now, as head coach, the 42-year-old faces a big challenge to revive the team after a poor IPL 2025 season, where KKR finished eighth on the points table with 12 points from 14 matches.

As the franchise begins a new chapter under Nayar’s leadership, here’s a look at three players KKR could sign based on his advice.

3 Players KKR Could Target on Abhishek Nayar’s Advice

1. Tanush Kotian

The first player on the list is Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian. The 27-year-old has made a name for himself in red-ball cricket, having played 42 first-class matches. He has scored 2,120 runs at an average of 42.40, including 17 fifties and two hundreds. With the ball, the off-spinner has taken 125 wickets at an average of 27.36 and a strike rate of 48.6, including three five-wicket hauls.

In T20s, Tanush has played 33 matches, taking 33 wickets at an average of 20.03, a strike rate of 18.7, and an economy rate of 6.39, with best figures of 4/16. With the bat, he has scored 87 runs in seven innings. In the IPL, he made a single appearance for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2024, scoring 24 runs.

In the 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, during Mumbai’s title-winning campaign, Tanush picked up nine wickets in nine innings at an average of 20.00 and an economy rate of 7.44. His all-round skills and Mumbai connection could make him a good fit for Abhishek Nayar’s KKR setup.

2. Prithvi Shaw

Next is opening batter Prithvi Shaw, who went unsold in the 2025 IPL mega auction. The former Mumbai cricketer, now playing for Maharashtra, has faced ups and downs in his career and been part of a few controversies.

However, Shaw seems to be finding his form again. In the first two matches of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, he hit a fifty and a century for Maharashtra, including a brilliant 222 off 156 balls against Chandigarh.

Abhishek Nayar recently mentioned on a podcast that he would like to mentor Shaw and help him rebuild his career. With Nayar now KKR’s head coach, Shaw could be an ideal signing for the team.

3. Shivam Mavi

The last name is fast bowler Shivam Mavi from Uttar Pradesh. The 26-year-old went unsold in the 2025 IPL auction but was earlier part of KKR from 2018 to 2022. He played 32 matches for the franchise, taking 30 wickets at an average of 31.40 and an economy of 8.70.

In 2025, Mavi impressed in the UP T20 League while playing for Kashi Rudras, finishing as the top wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 10 matches, including two four-wicket hauls.

Given his recent form and previous experience with the team, Abhishek Nayar may consider bringing Mavi back to KKR for IPL 2026.

Former Team India pacer Shivam Mavi recently shared a memorable incident involving Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma from the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018, ahead of Team India’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign. The legendary Rahul Dravid had been the head coach of India’s Under-19 squad for that tournament, which began just two days after his birthday.

Mavi recalled how Gill and Abhishek, along with Kamlesh Nagarkoti, plotted to surprise Dravid with a birthday cake smash. “It was always Gill and Abhishek. Whether during team outings, team activities, or lunches and dinners, the two were always together. They said, 'Let's do a cake smash on Rahul sir's face.' And they actually did it,” Mavi told ESPN Cricinfo.

He also remembered how Gill and Abhishek wanted to get back at Bangladesh in the Under-19 World Cup quarterfinal. "Before our quarter-final, Gill and Abhishek said, 'We'll give it back to them.' They instructed Ishan Porel and Riyan Parag, the team's Bengali speakers, to be at their chirpiest. Then our two Punjabi boys would chip in from time to time,” Mavi added.

Gill and Abhishek Reunite at the Top

Under Dravid’s guidance, India went on to win the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, defeating Australia in the final. Gill’s brilliance was instrumental, finishing the tournament with 372 runs in six matches at an average of 124 and a strike rate of 112.38. The duo have since batted together on multiple occasions, dating back to their junior days, and reunited at the top of the order when Abhishek made his senior India debut during the tour of Zimbabwe last year.

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Despite Gill being out of the Indian T20I side since the Zimbabwe series, he has now been selected for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. With Sanju Samson struggling in India’s recent T20I series against England and Abhishek scoring a brilliant century in the finale, all indications point towards Gill partnering with Abhishek at the top. India will face the UAE in their tournament opener in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10.

Kashi Rudras won against Meerut Mavericks by 91 runs. It was a day game when their captain Karan Sharma played well with a superb unbeaten 107 runs in 54 balls, hitting 7 fours and 9 sixes. His fearless batting lifted the team to a massive 224/3 in 20 overs. Uvaish Ahmed, who scored 69 runs in 38 balls with 7 big sixes. Together, they built a good partnership that left the Mavericks' bowlers helpless.

Quick runs from Abhishek Goswami 18 runs and Saksham Rai 22 runs added to the total, scoring a strong target. Chasing 225 runs was always going to be tough for Meerut Mavericks, and their innings never really got going. Swastik Chikara played a fighting knock of 58 runs from 41 balls, while Rituraj Sharma tried to counterattack with 25 off 15. But apart from them, no other batter could stay long at the crease.

Swagstik’s stylish knock against the Rudras went down like this.

Watch live on @SonyLIV and @SonySportsNetwk. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #KRvsMM pic.twitter.com/9wwwcXprPo

— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 23, 2025

Skipper Rinku Singh fell cheaply for just 1 run, and with that, the chase slipped out of their hands. The Rudras bowled well and were disciplined. Kartik Yadav took 3 wickets for just 10 runs, while Atal Bihari Vipin Rai took 3 wickets conceding 27 runs and Shivam Mavi 2 wickets 32 runs took important wickets when the team needed them.

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The Mavericks could only manage 133/9 in 20 overs, falling way short of the target. It was a dominating performance from Kashi Rudras, with their captain leading from the front. The huge win not only gave them two important points but also showed that they are one of the strongest sides in the competition.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have suffered a setback in IPL 2024 as fast bowler Shivam Mavi has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The announcement came through a video posted by the franchise on Instagram, where Mavi expressed his disappointment at missing out on the action.

Mavi, who didn’t specify the nature of his injury, conveyed his regret, saying, “I will miss [the tournament] a lot. I had come here after an injury and had thought I would play matches for my team and do well. But unfortunately, I will have to leave because I have suffered an injury.”

Shivam Mavi’s injury may create void in Lucknow Super Giants

Despite Mavi’s absence, LSG has shown promising form in the tournament, currently holding the fourth position on the points table with two wins from three games. Interestingly, Mavi hadn’t featured in any of these matches due to his injury.

Potential replacements for Shivam Mavi in LSG squad

Expressing his support for the team, Mavi added, “We got a very good team. I will keep cheering for the team and hopefully, we will win.” As LSG grapples with the setback, they are yet to announce a replacement for Mavi. However, they have several seam-bowling options at their disposal, including Matt Henry, Shamar Joseph, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mayank Yadav, Yash Thakur, Arshad Khan, and Yudhvir Singh.

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Mavi’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by LSG, but the team remains optimistic about their prospects in the tournament as they strive to maintain their winning momentum.