Mumbai: India ODI skipper Rohit Sharma was in a playful mood on Tuesday as he barged into Abhishek Nayar’s room and jokingly called him ‘stiff’ at all times. The light-hearted exchange took place in a hotel suite, with the two Mumbaikars sharing an inside joke that had everyone laughing.
Humorous exchange between friends
As Rohit entered the room, he urged Nayar to “get up” and quipped, “That’s Abhishek Nayar, by the way, whether he plays, whether he coaches, whether he’s on his bed, he’s always stiff.” Nayar responded with a grin, saying, “I am flexible when I am coaching,” prompting a cheeky laugh from Rohit. The duo later included sports physio Amit Dubey in their playful banter.
Preparing for India-Australia ODI series
The interactions come as Rohit and Nayar are working privately in Mumbai to improve Rohit’s fitness ahead of the India-Australia ODI series scheduled in October. Rohit, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, is focusing on pushing his body to remain in peak condition for the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite being in his 30s.
Nayar’s ongoing influence
Abhishek Nayar has maintained close ties with several Indian cricketers, including Rohit, even after his short stint as an assistant coach under Gautam Gambhir. Players like Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul have praised Nayar for his role in improving their batting techniques. During IPL 2025, Rohit had publicly thanked Nayar via social media following a standout performance for the Mumbai Indians.
While Nayar returned to Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2025 season, his continued involvement with top players highlights his influence off the field. It remains to be seen whether KKR retains his services for the upcoming season.