![Abhishek Nayar [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1753443680021_Abhishek_Nayar_ (1).jpg)
Abhishek Nayar [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com]
In an important update, former Indian cricketer and coach Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the head coach of the UP Warriorz, a team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). He replaces Jon Lewis, a former England player, who had been with the team for the past three years.
Nayar will now work closely with Deepti Sharma, who will captain the team in the upcoming season. Deepti takes over as captain after Alyssa Healy, the previous captain, was ruled out due to an injury.
Abhishek Nayar’s Experience As Coach
Abhishek Nayar brings a lot of cricket knowledge and coaching experience to the team. He has been part of many teams over the years. He played for India in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and was a key player in Mumbai’s domestic team before retiring in 2019. He also worked as a coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL from 2018 to 2024. Under his guidance, KKR won the IPL title in 2024.
Meanwhile, he also worked as an assistant coach for Team India under head coach Gautam Gambhir, helping them win the Champions Trophy. Nayar has also coached in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), leading the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2022.
Although he was later let go from the Indian team, he returned to KKR for the 2025 IPL season before now joining UP Warriorz.
UP Warriorz’s Performance So Far
UP Warriorz haven’t won a WPL title yet. In the last season, they didn’t perform well, finishing 5th out of the teams, with just 3 wins and 5 losses.
With Nayar coming in as head coach and a new leader in Deepti Sharma, the team will be hoping for a fresh start and better results in the next WPL season, which is expected to begin in February next year.
