The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently on a mission to clean the crowded coaching staff for the India National Cricket Team in the wake of media leaks during BGT 2024-25 and embarrassing Test series losses to New Zealand and Australia.

After showing doors to India’s batting coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, the BCCI targeted another support staff ahead of the team’s much-awaited Test tour of England in June and July.

BCCI sacks Masseur amid India's support staff trimming

As reported by IANS, an India National Cricket Team masseur has also been sacked by BCCI ahead of the next season. The name of the masseur is still not confirmed, but reports mention that he has been with the Indian team for only two years.

However, Arun Kanade is one of the known masseurs on the team and was also part of the support staff when India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

A source was quoted as saying by IANS, “Some people on the board had been saying, what’s the point of having so many people in the men’s team support staff, especially after the debacle of the Test series defeat in Australia?

They had this view that with so many coaches there, the support staff of the men’s team gave a crowded look. So, this can’t be called sacking; it’s just about giving the support staff a lean look.”

Abhishek Nayar, T Dilip, and Soham Desai's contracts terminated by BCCI

Speaking about the reported sacked trio, Abhishek Nayar joined the Indian cricket team as assistant coach in July 2024, and for this position, he had left his long-time role with the Kolkata Knight Riders. On the other hand, T Dilip and Soham Desai were part of the Indian coaching staff from November 2021 and October 2020, respectively.

There will be no replacement for both Dilip and Nayar, as the batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will double up on their jobs.

While Kotak will cover Nayar’s responsibilities, Ryan will take care of the fielding coach’s responsibilities, as reported by the media. For now, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and their jobs are secure.

Adrian le Roux set for India return after IPL 2025

Now, with changes happening in the support staff, Adrian le Roux is all set to replace Soham Desai as India’s new strength and conditioning coach.

Notably, Adrian le Roux, who is currently serving as the strength and conditioning coach for Punjab Kings in the IPL, earlier worked with Kolkata from 2008 to 2019. Before that, he was also part of the Indian team as their strength and conditioning coach from 2002 to 2003.

On the other hand, it is being said that the young guns Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana are likely to get BCCI’s central contracts for the next season. Apart from Abhishek and Harshit, Varun Chakravarthy is also in line to get the annual contract for the new season.