Abhishek Nayar reveals how Rohit Sharma influenced KL Rahul's aggressive mindset with the bat

KL Rahul slammed a hundred in the recently-concluded first test against England in Leeds.

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has revealed how Rohit Sharma played a major role in improving KL Rahul’s batting approach. Nayar was appointed as the assistant coach of Indian Cricket Team in July 2024, when Sharma was the skipper of India in tests.

Notably, Sharma announced retirement from test cricket in May 2025. After his retirement, Rahul has replaced him as opener in tests. Recently, during the first test against England Cricket Team at Headingley, Leeds, the right-handed batsman slammed a stunning century in the second innings.

Nayar worked with Rahul ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 last year, where the latter showed a wonderful form in the opening test at Perth. In the absence of opener Sharma during the match, Rahul scored 26 and 77 runs across both innings, helping the team during their only victory during the series.

Abhishek Nayar reveals how Rohit Sharma influenced KL Rahul’s batting approach

During a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, Nayar revealed that Sharma asked him to work with Rahul and bring out a more aggressive approach in his batting technique.

“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”, he said.

“Because he believed strongly that KL would play a major role in the Champions Trophy, World Cup and everything going forward including the BGT [Border-Gavaskar Trophy] and the Tests in England,” Nayar further added.

Meanwhile, after India lost the BGT 2024-25 1-3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sacked Nayar. Sharma announced his retirement from tests in May 2025, and then the Indian selectors appointed Shubman Gill as the new test skipper of the team.

Sharma will continue to play ODI cricket for India and is also the captain of the team. After a marvellous 137-run knock in the opening test against England, Rahul has proved to be a worthy replacement for Sharma as a test opener.

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