Abhishek Nayar Reveals Rohit Sharma Asked Him to Work with KL Rahul to Boost Aggression and Form

New Delhi, India – June 28, 2025:

Former Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has revealed that it was Rohit Sharma who requested him to work closely with KL Rahul in a bid to bring out a more aggressive and confident version of the stylish right-hander.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Nayar said:

“Rohit was very keen that I work with KL and bring out a more aggressive outlook in his game. He believed Rahul would play a crucial role in the Champions Trophy, World Cup, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the England Test series.”

The Turning Point: Headingley Heroics

KL Rahul showcased that potential most recently during the Headingley Test against England, scoring a composed 137 off 247 balls, drawing praise for his technical excellence and temperament.

Nayar, who was a key part of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching setup, shared how his partnership with Rahul evolved:

“When we were prepping for Australia, we had just 15 days before flying out and another 10 days there. I asked him — what do you want to change? What’s your mindset?”

He added that while Rahul and he initially had different approaches, hours of conversations led to mutual trust.

“Eventually, I got him to trust me—to make subtle changes in his stance, his guard, and where he stands on the crease.”

From Struggles to Survival

Rahul’s position was under threat after poor outings against New Zealand, where he failed in the first Test and was benched for the rest. India eventually suffered a historic 3-0 whitewash, and Rahul was already out of India’s T20 plans.

“If he didn’t score in Australia, it could’ve been the end of his Test career,” Nayar revealed.

Focus on Skill and Mindset

While Nayar didn’t disclose specific tactical changes, he explained his coaching philosophy:

“First, address the skill — and then use the skill as a tool to work on the mind.”

His sessions focused on building Rahul’s mental confidence by reinforcing a practical plan, layered with tactical tweaks to help Rahul focus on execution rather than results.

“It was about using practice to calm the mind, then adding small tactical nuances that gave him an edge while batting.”

Though Nayar was let go after a BCCI review following India’s 3-1 Test series loss to Australia, his impact on Rahul’s transformation continues to resonate in the Indian dressing room.