Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar was one of the guiding forces behind Kolkata Knight Riders’ crowing as Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 champions. He has been associated with the franchise as the assistant coach for years now. But apart from his KKR role, he has also transformed the careers of several stars of Indian cricket.
Nayas says it’s a ‘long list’ of players he has worked with for over a decade. But his coaching journey began with the current Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Speaking with Ranveer Allahbadia on the TRS Podcast, Nayar recalled the phase when Rohit had to face flak from fans and media for his fitness. But what fueled his desire to be the best in the country was the 2011 World Cup snub.
“Back in 2011 when he wasn’t selected for the ODI World Cup, I kept on telling him to work hard because he had put on a little weight. There was a series against West Indies before the World Cup and one of the new channels flashed his photo, with Yuvi Paa [Yuvraj Singh]. His belly was encircled with arrows pointing at it repeatedly,” Nayar said.
“That was the moment I could never forget. We saw that on TV and he told me, ‘Let’s work on this.’ A few days later, the World Cup squad was out and he wasn’t there. After that he changed his approach, he changed the way to go about his career… and that’s where he became the ‘Hitman’,” he added.
Nayar further stated that Rohit was indeed disappointed but he was determined to bounce back and prove his calibre.
“There were a lot of things told about Rohit. ‘Two-minute Maggi man’ and whatnot,” Mayar told further.
“That was the point he really thought to change himself. I still remember, he said, ‘Nayari, tu jo bolega main karunga but jab main IPL mein jaaunga to season ke baad log bolein ki ye wo Rohit Sharma nah hai (I’ll do whatever you’ll say. But after the upcoming IPL, people should say this isn’t the same Rohit we saw earlier).
“He had a four-pack [abs]. In a month and a half, he lost around 6-8 kilos. In the next 5-6 years, people kept saying that he is hard work was unmatchable. He was passionate and wanted to prove himself,” he added.
Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.
Comments
0 comment