The UP Warriorz have named Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), marking a fresh chapter for a franchise that has struggled for consistency since its playoff appearance in the inaugural 2023 edition. Nayar takes over from Jon Lewis, who was at the helm for the past three seasons but parted ways with the franchise following underwhelming campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
A Proven Mentor with Championship Pedigree
Though Nayar is taking up his first full-time coaching role in women’s cricket, his resume in the men’s game speaks volumes. A stalwart of Mumbai’s domestic scene and a former India international, Nayar transitioned into coaching soon after his retirement in 2019. Since then, he has held key roles including assistant coach at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League.
Notably, Nayar was instrumental in KKR’s title-winning run in IPL 2024, working closely with team mentor Gautam Gambhir. He briefly served as assistant coach for the Indian national team under Gambhir’s leadership, before returning to the KKR setup for the 2025 season. His deep focus on player development has been lauded by stars like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik, with many attributing personal turnarounds to his mentorship.
“Bringing Abhishek Nayar on board as head coach feels like a natural and exciting step forward for UP Warriorz,” said Kshemal Waingankar, COO and Director of Cricket, UPW. “Few in Indian cricket bring the same depth of experience when it comes to shaping players and shaping winning cultures.”
Building a Vision for UP Warriorz
Despite not having coached a women’s side before, Nayar is no stranger to the UP Warriorz. In August 2023, he conducted a week-long off-season camp with the team in Bengaluru and worked individually with both international and uncapped Indian players, laying early foundations for this appointment.
“WPL is a fantastic platform for women’s cricket and I’m looking forward to building something special with UP Warriorz,” Nayar said. “They already have a strong foundation, and I believe we can build a title-contending side this season.”
His focus is expected to be on nurturing young talent, instilling a winning mentality, and restoring the franchise’s competitive edge after a tough run in the last two seasons.
UP Warriorz: Searching for Stability
Since their playoff appearance in 2023—where they fell to Mumbai Indians in the eliminator—UP Warriorz have failed to live up to their early promise. They finished fourth in 2024 and last in 2025, winning just 10 of their 25 WPL matches across three seasons.
The 2025 campaign was further disrupted when Alyssa Healy, their regular skipper, was ruled out with injury. Deepti Sharma was named captain in her place, but the team failed to gain momentum.
What’s Next?
With WPL 2026 on the horizon, Nayar’s appointment signals a strategic shift for UP Warriorz. His track record of reviving careers and building competitive cultures brings optimism to a franchise that has the ingredients but has struggled to find the right formula.
As women’s cricket in India continues to surge, UPW fans will hope that under Nayar’s leadership, the team can finally translate potential into silverware—and become a true contender in the evolving WPL landscape.
