WPL 2026: UP Warriorz appoints Abhishek Nayar as head coach

UP Warriorz has made the appointment of Abhishek Nayar as its new head coach ahead of next season’s Women’s Premier League.

Nayar played a key role as assistant coach in helping Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinch the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024, and was also a part of the coaching set-up for Team India when it won the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

A former Indian international all-rounder and a key figure in Mumbai’s domestic cricket setup, Nayar has seamlessly transitioned into one of the most influential coaches in the Indian cricketing ecosystem. His journey as a coach has been defined by his ability to mentor and nurture young talent and help top athletes push past their limits.

This isn’t Nayar’s first time being associated with the UP Warriorz since he also spent a brief stint with the team during its off-season training camps after the inaugural season. The franchise is confident that him stepping into the head coach role will bring consistency and strength to the team’s preparations.

During his time with the Indian team, he worked closely with the top batters in the team, and KL Rahul personally credited Nayar for helping him regain his form in the T20 format. Among the other players he has worked with behind the scenes are also the likes of former India captain Rohit Sharma and former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik.

Speaking on his appointment, Nayar said, “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”

Jinisha Sharma, Director, Capri Sports, stated, “We believe that this appointment shows our strong intent to elevate the team’s performance and push for greater success in the upcoming WPL season. With Abhishek Nayar’s leadership, experience in coaching at the highest level and ability to bring out the best in players, the franchise is confident of a strong showing this season.”