Indian batter KL Rahul has time and again given credit to the former assistant and batting coach Abhishek Nayar for his improved batting performance since last year. And now Abhishek Nayar has some interesting revelations on why he put so much effort into improving KL Rahul.

Abhishek Nayar revealed how Rohit Sharma personally pushed to unlock the fiercest version of Rahul during a crucial phase in Indian cricket. The former Indian coach said that Rohit had full belief in Rahul’s talent, so he urged him to bring out a “more aggressive outlook” and ensure he reached his full potential for the 2023–25 cycle.

Abhishek Nayar credits Rohit Sharma’s push to transform KL Rahul’s game

Nayar, who joined Gautam Gambhir’s coaching setup in July 2024 after a successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, had a rollercoaster eight-month stint. Under Gautam Gambhir, India delivered white-ball glory, but the whitewash at home against New Zealand and a 3-1 Test series loss to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy forced the BCCI to sack Nayar.

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Despite criticism for failing to fix recurring batting flaws in several players, Nayar’s influence on KL Rahul stood out. The stylish batter finally found rhythm and consistency. He also performed well in the IPL 2025 for his new team, Delhi Capitals.

Abhishek Nayar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo, “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 and the Tests in England.”

Abhishek Nayar opens up on KL Rahul’s turnaround ahead of the Australia tour

Abhishek further revealed that he and KL Rahul worked on a focused one-month plan before the Australia tour. They spent hours in deep conversations, building trust before making key technical and mental adjustments. The results showed quickly, as Rahul was enjoying his game.

Nayar added, “A coach has to be lucky. How lucky that in his first game in Australia he got runs in the second inning, 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.”

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Abhishek Nayar reveals what kept KL Rahul away from reaching his best

Additionally, Nayar opened up about why Rahul struggled to reach his full potential earlier in his career. He said that constant outside noise and growing expectations, both from others and from within the dressing room, had started weighing heavily on Rahul.

The KKR coach noted that the pressure to live up to his talent and prove himself ended up holding him back and stopping him from playing freely and being himself. He will be next seen in action in the second Test against England, starting on July 2 in Birmingham.