UP Warriorz have announced former Indian cricketer and assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, as their Head Coach for the next edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Nayar was instrumental in making sure that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lift the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024.
Notably, Abhishek Nayar has previously been the assistant coach of Team India and shares a close bond with Team India ODI captain, Rohit Sharma. Under the tutelage of Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar, KKR lifted their 3rd IPL title in IPL 2024.
UP Warriorz announced Nayar as the Head Coach in a collaborative video with comedian Zakir Khan, who will be the face of the franchise on social media. Nayar replaces Jon Lewis, who was the Head Coach of the franchise, in the first three instalments of the WPL.
“A respected figure in the Indian cricket circles, Nayar brings with him a deep understanding of the game, a proven track record in player development, and years of experience across various coaching roles at both domestic and international levels,” read a statement of UP Warriorz.
Abhishek Nayar has been a part of the KKR setup since 2018 and has worked closely with former KKR players such as Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill. He shares good camaraderie with Indian cricketers and assists them in delivering the goods with perfection.
Nayar was also the assistant coach of India when Rohit Sharma and co. lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
He was previously involved with UP Warriorz during off-season camps after the inaugural edition of the tournament.
“I really enjoyed my time working with the UP Warriorz before and I’m thrilled to take on this new role. WPL is a fantastic platform for women’s cricket and I’m looking forward to working closely with the management to build a strong team for Season 4. UP Warriorz already have a strong foundation in place, and I believe we can build something truly special. There is incredible potential and I will give it my all to help win their first-ever title this season,” said the 41-year-old after his appointment.
UP Warriorz finished with the wooden spoon in WPL 2025
UP Warriorz had a dismal outing in this edition of WPL as they finished at the last position. They had managed to register only 3 wins in 8 games and need a strong comeback in WPL 2026.
The appointment of Nayar can be a big shot in the arm for the franchise and they can challenge for the title, this time.
