Pandit had parted ways with the KKR team earlier this year, after which the franchise was looking for a new head coach. Nair’s appointment continues the franchise’s recent practice of handing over the role to an Indian coach.

The 42-year-old Nair is highly respected among the players and also by the KKR management for his contemporary and progressive coaching methods. Nair had previously been a part of KKR’s support staff for five years. He was not a part of the team in the 2025 season as he was part of the coaching staff of the Indian team at that time. Nair has been the assistant coach of the Indian team for one year.

Nair has worked individually with many Indian players and has seen very successful results, including star players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Rohit, on several occasions, thanked Nair for his support and expressed his gratitude.

Apart from Nair, the team’s support staff includes mentor Dwayne Bravo. Before this, bowling coach Bharat Arun also separated from the KKR team and joined the Lucknow Super Giants team. At present, the franchise has not announced anyone else’s name in place of Arun.