Ex-India Coaching Staff Member Named UP Warriorz Head Coach

UP Warriorz (UPW) have announced a new head coach for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. Former India men’s all-rounder Abhishek Nayar has taken over the role. He replaces Jon Lewis, who was the team’s coach for the past three seasons. However, the Warriorz haven't performed well.
The news of Nayar’s appointment was shared through a video on Instagram which was posted by popular comedian Zakir Khan. It quickly gained attention among fans. Nayar has also served as India's assistant coach in the past but was sacked from his role after India's embarrassing defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Who is the New UP Warriorz Coach?

Abhishek Nayar is a well-known name in Indian cricket. He played three One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India. However, he made his mark in domestic cricket while playing for Mumbai. He retired from playing cricket in 2019. After retiring, Nayar has now grown into a respected coach. His experience will be crucial in his journey as UP Warriorz coach.

Nayar said he is very happy to join the UP Warriorz as head coach. “I really enjoyed my time working with the UP Warriorz before and I’m thrilled to take on this new role,” said Nayar. “WPL is a fantastic platform for women’s cricket. I look forward to working with the management to build a strong team.”
Nayar also said that the UP Warriorz already have a strong base. He believes that the team can do well this season. “There is incredible potential in the team. I will give my best to help them win their first-ever WPL title,” he added.

Abhishek Nayar Coaching Career

This is Nayar’s first full-time coaching role in women’s cricket. But he already has experience working with the UP Warriorz. He was their batting consultant during a week-long off-season camp in Bengaluru in August 2023. Abhishek Nayar coaching role in UP Warriorz is a big moment in his career.

He also brings with him rich coaching experience from men’s cricket. Nayar was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) support staff from 2018 to 2024. He was their assistant coach and the head coach of their academy. In 2022, Nayar became the head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

After KKR won the IPL 2024, Nayar joined the Indian national team as an assistant coach. His tenure with the Indian team ended after India won the Champions Trophy 2025. He then returned to KKR as their assistant coach for IPL 2025.

Notably, several Indian cricketers have hailed Nayar for his coaching and mentoring stints. He played a big role in helping Dinesh Karthik become a top T20 finisher during the later stages in his career. Other cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have also thanked him for supporting their careers.

Players such as Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy have appreciated his skills and guidance. UP Warriorz franchise fans will be hoping that the team can win their first WPL title under his leadership.

UP Warriorz Performance in WPL

The UP Warriorz reached the playoffs in WPL 2023. However, they lost to Mumbai Indians in the eliminator match. In the 2024 season, they finished in fourth place and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Kshemal Waingankar, the COO of UP Warriorz, praised Nayar’s appointment. “Abhishek Nayar is one of the best brains in global cricket. We are excited about his vision. We believe he can lead the team to many memorable moments,” Waingankar said.
In WPL 2025, Deepti Sharma led the team as their regular captain Alyssa Healy missed the season due to a knee injury. Under Deepti’s captaincy, UPW finished at the bottom of the table.